Siena - The Large Composition. 1966. by Ben Nicholson, 1894-1982

Ben Nicholson, 1894-1982
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Siena - The Large Composition. 1966.

Original etching with open-bite in black ink. 1965. Signed and dated '65 in pencil. Numbered (13) in pencil from the edition of 50. Etched in 1965. Edition printed at the studio of Lafranca 1966. Issued by the artist, 1966.
Ref: Lafranca - Nicholson Etchings no L 22.

Extremely fine impression printed with plate tone. On pale cream wove Rives-type paper. Excellent condition; the faintest trace of old mounting. Full margins. Sheet: 16 ž x 14 3/4ins. Plate: 12 5/8 x 10 7/8ins (320x275mm)

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This large scale composition on the 'Siena' theme is amongst the very finest early etchings which Nicholson drew using architectural elements. The central motif of Nicholson's art from the very earliest years was the 'still life', initially the lines of an arrangement of bottle, plate, jug or cup, then abstracted to become a relationship of lines and even pure geometric forms, but always with a lingering reversion to the naturalistic origins. When Nicholson settled in northern Italy he also found a new stimulus for his compositions, the shapes and textures of the ancient architecture of the northern Italian cities, arches, vaults and weathered stonework.

It was in the mid 1960's in Italy that Nicholson took up etching again as a primary medium. He had drawn a small number of superb linear drypoints in the late 1940's, but in the 60's having met the inspiring master printer Lafranca he quickly became really absorbed by etching as a medium. What attracted him was the way that texture could be combined with line, and in particular when using motifs taken from the ancient architecture. The way that line and rough open-bite are linked in the 'Siena' composition above so as to create counterpoint between the eye flowing along the line and held by the rougher texture is a brilliant example of the great inspiration of his prints at this period.