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Sketch after Cecil Lawson's "Swan and Iris"

Impression: Hunterian Art Gallery
Hunterian Art Gallery
(46889)
Number: 247
Date: 1882
Medium: etching and drypoint
Size: 142 x 82 (1); 134 x 82 (2) mm
Signed: no
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: E. W. Gosse, 'Cecil Lawson, a Memoir', London, 1883
No. of States: 6
Known impressions: 32
Catalogues: K.241; M.238
Impressions taken from this plate  (32)

TECHNIQUE

The original etched composition was reworked with extensive light and strong drypoint lines to create shadows and atmosphere. The plate was cut down slightly before being reworked and printed for publication in 1883. The plate shows signs of deterioration and the drypoint gradually faded, creating a softer effect.

PRINTING

It was usually printed in black ink but impressions are found on a surprising variety of papers including dark cream wove paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K2410108), cream Japanese paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K2410202), ivory laid paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K2410204), and ivory laid paper watermarked '1814' (Graphic with a link to impression #K2410z04). Many impressions are still bound in the original book (Graphic with a link to impression #K2410203), but others have been cut out of the book for which they were intended, and some sheets still show the sewing holes down one edge (Graphic with a link to impression #K2410108, Graphic with a link to impression #K2410208).