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Henry Ninham

1796 – 1874

The Blasted Oak – Composition, partly soft ground by Henry Ninham
 

The Blasted Oak – Composition, partly soft ground   c.1830-40

  Original etching and soft ground etching.
Ref: Bolingbroke 18
S 107 x 73 mm; P & I 97 x 65 mm
SOLD
 
Lifetime proof impression, prior to the only published edition. The later, published version of this soft ground etching was issued posthumously in Fifteen Etchings by the late Henry Ninham in 1875. The introduction to the 1875 volume provides the following information: “the fifteen small etchings, the subjects of which are enumerated on the following page, were executed by him between the years 1830 and 1840, when a few impressions only were distributed amongst his immediate friends.”

This soft ground study of a tree struck by lightning was based upon an etching by John Crome entitled A Sketch (Theobald 27). This particular impression is undoubtedly one of those few impressions which we are told were distributed only amongst Ninham’s immediate friends during his lifetime.

Excellent proof impression with carefully applied plate tone. On fine wove paper, with small margins beyond the plate mark on all sides, as prepared by the artist. Small stains at extreme outer corners of sheet in marigns where tipped at corners to original support sheet, otherwise very fine original condition.