Sir Francis Seymour Haden

Original Francis Seymour Haden mezzotint engraving with drypoint.

Beautifully rich early proof impression in Schneiderman’s 2nd state, prior to the drypoint borderlines. A particularly fine example printed in dark brownish-black ink with the fresh mezzotint burr producing rich velvety shadows and strong contrast.

Francis Seymour Haden’s favourite pastime was angling and it was whilst sitting at a river’s bank fishing that he had first begun the practise of drawing etchings. This plate distills Haden’s combined love of printmaking and angling to perfection. Haden would often work directly onto a plate, from life, whilst sitting at the water’s edge waiting for the fish to bite. Indeed, he regarded fishing as entirely compatible with his activities as an artist – Haden is recorded to have expressed the opinion that “Angling has a peculiar charm for men of powerful and active intellect... because it calls into play all the powers of observation”.

Amongst the finest of all of Francis Seymour Haden’s fishing images, Grayling Fishing is one of only a handful of mezzotints which Haden produced towards the end of his time as a printmaker.

On warm white wove paper with full margins and deckle edge. Mild time tone within mat window area, otherwise very fine condition.