Chris: Brennan : A Woodcut Portrait, 1953

Component identifier:

Item 89

Content Summary:

Quarter-leather binder containing: Pencil portrait of Brennan in profile. Approx. 8" x 6". Signed by the artist. Further inscription: "To Harry Chaplin, Chris. Brennan. The study for the cut. This has C.B's nose, and resembles him".

Included in the folder are all the artist's progress proofs, taken at varying stages of the cutting. There are 10 in all, the final proof being upon Jap vellum.

Inscription on the end paper: "My dear Harry, This is probably my last cut, and I never dreamed of making a woodcut of Chris. until you suggested it. The drawing was made at the time I was essaying to do a frontispiece for the 'Poems'. I think it is not a bad likeness of Chris. in his prime, Lionel, Wahroonga, 1954".

Inserted is autograph letter: "Wahroonga, October 27 1953. My dear Harry, I am posting to-day the various states and the finished proofs, one on Chinese, and another on Jap thin paper. You would be surprised at the work entailed in the lowering and finishing, with always the fear of a slip, and I've been at it the last two days, and I'm really pleased with the cut, as I've kept the amiable expression and it bring back Chris. to me as much as anything I've done. I have now the meticulous job of clearing the lines "of any ink that invariably gets into them so that the electrotype will be foolproof for the printer. You would be surprised how after pulling a dozen proofs and wiping the surface between whiles how the infernal oily ink will creep until the inner lines fill up. But I'll send it along as soon as I've cleared them...I hope you will be pleased with the cut. Ever yours, with kindest regards, L.L."

Names:

Christopher Brennan

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