Lindsay, Sir Lionel

Component identifier:

Item 91-92

Content Summary:

Etched Portraits of Chris. Brennan.

Original pencil portrait of Brennan. Approx. 9" × 7". The poet is drawn full face wearing a shirt without collar. His expression is amiable and it is an attractive portrait. The drawing is signed and annotated by the artist: "This is the most like of the three". This is one of several portraits. I suggested that "if this could be etched in reverse so that it would print with Brennan facing as he does in the portrait, it would make a fine frontispiece." The artist agreed, and made an etching but altered the shirt collar, which is opened and turned down, as Brennan liked to wear his shirts in this way.

The first three progress proofs are included in the folder, which is in quarter-leather, together with autograph letter from the artist, explaining that he has printed the proofs on Jap paper, to give the portrait a "silken effect".

Quarter-leather folder. This contains three signed artist's proofs of a dry-point, etched direct onto the zinc plate with a needle. The artist has captioned one of the proofs, to the effect that he was not satisfied with the expression, and so abandoned the project. Nevertheless, it is a very interesting variant portrait of Brennan.

Included in this folder is proof of the etched frontispiece to The Burden of Tyre. It has an annotation by the artist: "This being so light you might think it the last proof. Actually it is the first - ink too thick!" So much for first impressions, eagerly sought by print collectors.

Inserted is typed extract from a letter to me from the artist in which he discusses his etching technique. He outlines his approach to the craft, and his methods of inking and printing his plates. He stresses the difficulty and skill necessary for correct inking and wiping. He mentions that Whistler wrote once that it took him two years learning to print one of his plates.

Other items of Lindsay interest, photos, etc., are also contained in the folder.

Names:

Christopher Brennan

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