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The Little Forge, Liverpool

Impression: Hunterian Art Gallery
Hunterian Art Gallery
(46779)
Number: 141
Date: 1875
Medium: drypoint
Size: 228 x 152 mm
Signed: butterfly at lower left (8); removed (9); butterfly at lower left (10-final)
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: no
No. of States: 16
Known impressions: 19
Catalogues: K.147; M.145; W.115
Impressions taken from this plate  (19)

TECHNIQUE

Impression: K1470102
Not only is there a sketch for this drypoint 7 but there are several worked proofs, including the first proof worked on in crayon, reproduced above (Graphic with a link to impression #K1470102), and another on watermarked paper touched up in pen (possibly quill pen) and wash (Graphic with a link to impression #K1470z03).

7: British Museum, London; MacDonald 1995 (cat. no. 574).

The large print-run of over 20 impressions is unusual for a drypoint, and the number of states - 16 - reflects the need to maintain and enhance the richness and delicacy of the drypoint lines.

PRINTING

Impressions were printed in black ink, with some tone, and soft burr in many impressions. An unusual selection of old laid papers was used for printing this drypoint. These included several sheets with an Arms of Amsterdam watermark (Graphic with a link to impression #K1470102, Graphic with a link to impression #K1470302, Graphic with a link to impression #K1470402, possibly Graphic with a link to impression #K1470603, Graphic with a link to impression #K1470702, Graphic with a link to impression #K1470802). These were used for impressions of six different states from the first to the last. Other sheets bear watermarks of a Hunting horn over 'WR' (Graphic with a link to impression #K1470202) and a Posthorn in a crowned shield (Graphic with a link to impression #K1470303); and the countermarks, 'IV' (Graphic with a link to impression #K14705a3) and '[B?] D' (Graphic with a link to impression #K1470602).
Some of these sheets were removed from an old book or ledger and have old pen inscriptions - possibly in Dutch - on the verso (Graphic with a link to impression #K14705a3, Graphic with a link to impression #K1470602, Graphic with a link to impression #K1470802). One sheet of 'antique' (pre-1800) laid paper, possibly with a watermark, has a note on the verso, with the legible words 'Joseph' and 'Glossig pag.' suggesting that it was the glossary for a biblical text (Graphic with a link to impression #K1470606). Several old sheets have Latin inscriptions on the verso (i.e. Graphic with a link to impression #K1470202) One such inscription may have been an index or concordance (Graphic with a link to impression #K1470303):
'formationis memoria quomodo celebratur in ... //[via epistola indita Fpg reformationis spertant...?] p. 107/ 807/ & 243').
Another on 'antique' paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K1470502) has on the verso a longer Latin inscription regarding homosexual love:
'Argilius adulescens [Lacadamonus] quem Pausanias amore venerio dilexit. rep. Paus'
This may be a version of 'Argilius quidam adulescentulus, quem puerum Pausanias amore venerio dilexerat', from Cornelii Nepotis Vitae. Cornelius Nepos (ca 99-24BC) was a Roman historian, who wrote a number of biographies including a text on Pausanius (d. ca. 470 BC), Regent of Sparta.