Study above: Bruges, Storm (0.1056), 1904 (De Bijser), 27×50.8cm, watercolour, pencil and crayon on paper mounted on card, monogram b.r., inscribed in pencil on card: ‘First sketch for Storm’, Brangwyn gift. Lit & Ill: Marechal, 1987, p192. Ill: Zwanzig Graphische Arbeiten (15).
1904
Zinc, 45.5×47.8cm
Edition: Published by the Fine Art Society, printed by F Goulding. Plate destroyed. 1st (trial) state: 3 impressions. Road and trees, no other detail. 2nd (published) state. 70 proofs. Cloudy sky and diagonal rain strokes added. Plate rebitten and deepened.
Owners: Amsterdam (RP-P-1927-718, 2nd state). Bath (BATVG:P:1943.21. 2nd state) Brangwyn gift 1943. Bewdley (unacc). Boston (51.1443) gift of Louis A Lebowich. Bradford (1906-009) purchased 1906. Brighton (FA207057) (AP87) Brangwyn gift, 1935. Bruges (0.1196, 2nd state) signed in full in pencil b.r. and inscribed in pencil b.l. ‘The Storm’, Brangwyn gift. Brussels (S.III 65721, 2nd state). Budapest (2nd state). Cambridge (P.321-1943) Brangwyn gift, 1943. Cardiff (NMW A12789) signed in full in pencil below. Dresden (2nd state). London BM (1913,0522.2, artist’s proof) signed in pencil. London WMG (BrP130, 2nd state), signed in full in pencil b.c., stamped with monogram b.l. and signed b.r. ‘F Goulding, Printer’. Scarborough (SCAAG:422, 2nd state). Southport ( SOPAG960, 2nd state) bequest from Dr Jackson, 1944.
Possibly Berlin State print room, Musée de Luxembourg, Orange, Paris, Palazzo Corsini Rome, Vienna, Venice
Lit: Newbolt, 1908 (24). FAS, 1912 (29). Shaw Sparrow, 1919, p71, 89. Salaman Malcolm C, Modern Masters of Etching: Frank Brangwyn RA, London: The Studio, 1924, p1, 2, 4. Gaunt, 1926, (29) & p8. Gillow, 1974, p68. Marechal, 1987, p232. Brangwyn’s Bridges: The Art of Construction, Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, 1995, unpaginated. Horner, 2023, pE28-29.
Ill: Pica, 1907, p177, 2nd state. Newbolt, 1908 (plate 12). Art et Decoration, T Destève, ‘Les Eaux-Fortes de Frank Brangwyn’, Vol XXV, 1st semestre, 1909, p94. Scribner’s Magazine, Shaw Sparrow Walter, ‘Frank Brangwyn and his Etchings’, Vol XLIX, No 5, May 1911, p584. FAS, 1912 (29, 1st and 2nd states). Kunst Für Alle, Utitz-Rostock Dr Emil, ‘Was Ist Stil?’, XXVII, 1 March 1912, p259 (2nd state). Manchester catalogue, 1912. Shaw Sparrow Walter, Frank Brangwyn and his etchings. An appreciation, 1912. Salaman Malcolm C, Modern Masters of Etching: Frank Brangwyn RA, London: The Studio, 1924 (plate 1, 2nd state). Gaunt, 1926 (29, 1st and 2nd states). Illustrated London News The, Causey Andrew, ‘An Artist Hidden by his Reputation’, 22 April 1967, p27. Marechal, 1987, p232. Drawings, prints and designs from the permanent collection of Scarborough Art Gallery, touring exhibition, 1994, cover. Goldmark, Frank Brangwyn Etchings, 2008 (9, £1000). Horner, 2023, p28-29.
Exh: RSPEE, 1905 (98) 12 guineas. London, 1907 (19) 12 guineas. Melbourne, 1909 (12) 19 guineas, 1st state. Paris, 1909. Manchester, 1912 (16) 6 guineas. Paris, 1912. Paris, 1915 (11) 1st state. Queen’s Gate, 1924 (26). Ditchling, 1980 (2). Bath, 1983 (63). Melle, 1988 (8). Scarborough, 1994 (5). Brighton, 2007
Newbolt states that this was etched in situ near Craven Cottage, Fulham (now the site of the football ground) but it appears that it was made from a sketch. Shaw Sparrow thought it was etched in situ and then ‘restudied at home’.
There is a low horizon, dark shadowy hedge left and post fence right, flanking a rough track. Just to the right of centre are tall trees which lead the eye down to the lightened track or vice versa. The trees visually divide the picture, and are reminiscent of the outlined, free-flowing tree shapes of Maurice Denis. A very atmospheric print, with dark broody shadows, showing Brangwyn’s decorative vein.
Salaman notes the debt to Legros.
Print Prices Current – sold for £8 12/6/22