Frank Laing’s etching with drypoint, “Paysage en Tirée-Ecosse”, c.1900

Frank Laing (aka Francis James Laing) (1862–1907)—a Scottish painter and printmaker famous for his stylistic leaning towards (and I understand his correspondence with) James McNeill Whistler.

“Paysage en Tirée-Ecosse” (MIA title) (Landscape in Tiree–Scotland)—note that this title may be incorrect and is based on the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s description of an etching by Laing that does not include a image to verify my proposal (see https://collections.artsmia.org/art/46960/paysage-en-tiree-ecosse-frank-laing); nevertheless, the MIA’s print is a similar size and the plate is inscribed with the word “Tiree” at lower right, c.1900.

Etching and drypoint on Japan paper printed in bistre coloured ink, backed with a support sheet, signed in pencil by the artist with partially legible pencil notations at lower left corner with what may be a reference number to a catalogue (“N. 13”). The pencil notations also have a reference number (“No. 8989”) that may relate to the collector, Jules Chavasse (Lugt 1430; see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG22648) whose collection this print belonged before it was sold in Paris, 6 June 1919.

Size: (sheet) 32.1 x 50.3 cm; (plate) 22.9 x 33.5 cm.

For those who may be unfamiliar with this extraordinary artist—mindful that his prints are seldom seen on the art market—the following extract from Roger Marx’s article, “L’Exposition des Eaux-Fortes de M. Frank Laing”, published in “La Gazette des Beaux-Arts” (January 1899, pp. 65–6) may be interesting: (transl.) “Mr. Frank Laing's manner unites, in a personal synthesis, the 'velvety vigour' of Seymour Haden to the nervous and refined subtlety of Whistler; the memory of the expressive abbreviations of Jongkind (in the treatment of the clouds and especially the trees) can still be usefully invoked. This is to what masters Mr. Frank Laing is akin. Isn't such a thing enough filiation to determine the rank which belongs to this painter-engraver, unquestionably one of the most gifted of the new generation?” (p. 66; PDF available in the sidebar at https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/gba1899_1/0073/image,info).

Condition: a richly inked impression in a near pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, significant stains or foxing, laid upon an archival support sheet of millennium quality washi paper.

I am selling this exceptionally rare, pencil-signed and large etching by an esteemed Scottish artist, for AU$308 (currently US$205.87/EUR186.27/GBP163.97 at the time of posting this listing) including 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 very beautiful etching with drypoint—my eye is drawn to the freely laid marks describing subtle changes to the contours of the distant headland and the almost minimal (certainly reserved) treatment of the clouds—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.