John Shapland (1865-1929) after Walter Sweet -Early 20thC Etching Rialto Bridge

Description

A truly masterful etching of miniature size, by the British landscape painter John Shapland (1865-1929) after an original drawing by Walter Henry Sweet (1889-1943). The scene shows a picturesque view of the Rialto Bridge in Venice. The etching is finished with plate tone and unusually, both artist have signed to the lower edge of the image in graphite. The paper has been embossed with a guild stamp in the lower left corner. On wove.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration particularly at the outer edges of the paper and around the plate lines, likely from previous mounting.

Size

13.1 x 17.3cm (5.2" x 6.8")
Sheet: 21.3 x 26.2cm (8.4" x 10.3")

Artist Biography

Walter Sweet was a painter in watercolour of Devon and Cornish landscapes, cottages and harbour scenes. He was born on 11th April, 1889 and studied at the Exeter School of Art under the guidance of his friend John Shapland. He worked locally and exhibited work at the Devon and Exeter Annual Exhibition at Elands Art Gallery in the 1900s. At the outbreak of the First World War, Walter Sweet joined the Devonshire Regiment and saw active service abroad. After the War, he moved to Dundee, Scotland, and was employed by James Valentine and Sons as a commercial illustrator.

John Shapland (1865-1929) A painter of seascapes and landscapes mainly in watercolour but occasionally in oil. He exhibited at the RA, Paris Salon, and in the USA. Two of his exhibits at the RA were entitled 'Fairy Led' and 'Paradise Lost'. He was the principle of the Exeter School of Art from 1899 to 1913.