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William Strang

1859 – 1921

The Fallen Cross by William Strang
 

The Fallen Cross   1895

  Original etching.
Signed in pencil.
Ref: Binyon 245; David Strang 332 ii/ii
S 222 x 392 mm; P & I 176 x 328 mm
SOLD
 
Excellent impression with particularly strong, clear etched line. One of only about 30 signed proof impressions printed in the completed state of the plate.

The Fallen Cross typifies the macabre humour which pervades so much of William Strang’s art. William Strang displayed a sustained pre-occupation with the subject of death, showing a strange attraction towards the unpleasant and gruesome aspects of life – aspects which he portrayed with greater success than any of his contemporaries. Here, a humble worshipper has been killed by the fallen cross at the foot of which he had been praying. The grim irony of this subject would have appealed perfectly to the artist’s morbid and eccentric imagination.

This splendid proof impression was printed by the artist’s son, David Strang, and is signed in pencil by both father and son. David Strang worked under the tyrannical eye of his dour Scottish father, printing almost all of his father’s proof editions.

On cream laid paper with full margins. Very fine original condition. Image surface excellent.