The Knitting Lesson 1913-14 |
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Original drypoint.
Signed in pencil, and with the artist’s blindstamp.
Ref: Hardie 121 ii/ii
S 298 x 285 mm; P & I 203 x 201 mm
£520
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Exceptionally strong impression with rich drypoint burr, printed by the artist himself. From the edition of only 15 signed proofs.
This style of touching depiction of a French peasant woman with her children was to become a recurring theme throughout William Lee-Hankey’s work - a theme in which he remained unsurpassed throughout the British Etching Revival.
This drypoint was adapted from William Lee-Hankey’s own oil painting of the subject which had been purchased by the French government for the Luxembourg, from the Salon of 1914. William Lee-Hankey had already issued an edition of 15 proofs in the first state of this plate when the subject was still relatively sketchy. In this second state (the edition of which was also limited to only 15 impressions) Lee-Hankey has completed the composition with much additional drypoint work. In this finished state the modelling of the sitters is completed, their clothes are properly shaded and both the background and the mother’s shawl have become darkened.
On cream laid paper, with full margins. Mild mat lines in outer margins. Reverse of sheet browned due to previous backboard. Image surface excellent. |
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