John Crome’s etching, “A Composition”, c1812

John Crome (1768–1821)

“A Composition”, c1812, from the series of thirty-one etchings, “Norfolk Picturesque Scenery.”

Etching on cream wove paper with wide margins.

Size: (sheet) 39.6 x 29.5 cm; (plate) 17 x 16 cm; (outer image borderline) 16.6 x 15.6 cm.

Inscribed on plate: (lower left) "J. Crome fecit"; (centre) "Composition".

State iii (of iii) with the addition of the title.

Theobald E17 iii (Derek Clifford & Timothy Clifford 1968, “John Crome”, Greenwich, New York Graphic Society, pp. 169–170, cat. no. E 17 iii/iii); Goldberg 228 iii (Norman Goldberg 1978, “John Crome the Elder” [Text and a Critical Catalogue], vol. 1, New York, New York University Press, p. 282, cat, no. 228 iii/iii).; Weston 16 ( William Weston Gallery 1993, “The Essence of English Landscape: Etchings by John Crome 1768–1821: An Exhibition of all the artist’s published etchings in the first issue” [cat. no. 6, year 26, issue no. 247], London, n.p., cat. no. 16).

The William Weston Gallery offers the following insights about this print in the Gallery’s catalogue raisonné for John Crome's etchings (1993):

“Although entitled A Composition this study was certainly drawn from life, possibly at Trowse at the same date as Road Scene at Trowse Hall […]. The interaction between the delicacy of the detail in the drawing of the winding track, the fence and the seated figure in the background, and the bold forms of the foreground foliage and the open highlight on the mound is the sort of element which gives Crome’s etching its particular vitality.” (n.p.; cat. no. 16).

See also the excellent description of this print offered by The Art of the Print:

http://www.artoftheprint.com/artistpages/crome_john_composition.htm.

Condition: a strong impression, but with a few areas showing wear to the plate, with generously wide margins. The sheet is in near pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, foxing or signs of handling.

I am selling this stunning, museum-quality impression of one John Crome’s most beautiful etchings for the total cost of AU$498 (currently US$386.98/EUR316.43/GBP285.39 at the time of this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this remarkably fine etching exempliying the sensitive and confident approach to drawing of one of England’s greatest landscape artists, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

Note: this is the second copy of this print that I have listed. The earlier copy has been sold.

This print has been sold