Sir David Young Cameron RA RSA, RSW - Early 20th Century Etching, Perth Bridge

Description

Sir David Young Cameron RA, RSA, RSW - Original Early 20th Century Etching. On paper laid on thick card. Titled and signed in plate lower right. Signed in plate. On wove. Some discolouration and paper outside plate-line due to previous mount, but picture remains unaffected and is in good condition.

Sir David Young Cameron (Scottish, 1865 - 1945) was a successful painter and a very influential etcher. Strong tonal contrasts characterise his prints and his stark and dramatic paintings, which are mainly landscapes and cityscapes. He studied at Glasgow School of Art before joining life classes at the Royal Scottish Academy. His work was acclaimed in Edinburgh, London, Berlin and Munich. During the First World War, Cameron was appointed official war artist to the Canadian government and in 1933 was made the King's Painter in Scotland. Cameron bequeathed his superb collection of Rembrandt etchings to the National Gallery of Scotland, having served on its Board of Trustees for twenty-five years.

Size

17 x 26cm (6.7" x 10.2")
Sheet: 31.5 x 45.2cm (12.4" x 17.8")
Plate: 17.7 x 26.2cm (7" x 10.3")

Collection Information

Cameron was encouraged to take up etching in 1887 by the collector and amateur etcher George Stevenson, who had seen a couple of the young artist’s drawings in a shop window. Stevenson introduced him to the etching technique, financed him, presented him to dealers, and published Cameron’s first series of etchings, including the ‘Clyde Set’ in 1889. This print, showing Perth Bridge on the River Tay, was published in the influential periodical 'The Portfolio' in 1889. Cameron skilfully constructed an atmospheric perspective by creating a tonal transition from deeply etched dark areas in the foreground, to a light background with outlines of distant hills hardly touched by acid.