Sir Frank Short RA (1857-1945) - Signed Mezzotint, Shipwreck Offshore

Description

A large mezzotint on chine colle by the established artist Sir Frank Short, depicting stormy seas with a figures in a boat navigating the choppy waters, with figures on the shore looking out at the disaster. Signed in pencil by the artist to the lower right. Signed. On chine-collé.

Condition

There are 6 small tears found along the margins of the page. Two creases along top right corner of image. Scattered foxing and yellowing present to page.

Size

41.8 x 57.8cm (16.5" x 22.8")
Sheet: 54.6 x 71.1cm (21.5" x 28")
Plate: 48 x 62.5cm (18.9" x 24.6")

Artist Biography

Painter and engraver born in Stourbridge, Worcestershire. Short trained as an engineer but abandoned this career for art and attended South Kensington Schools and Westminster School of Art. Frank Short exhibited at leading London and provincial galleries, mainly at the Ipswich Art Club, RA, RI, Royal Society of British Artists, Fine Art Society, Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, Goupil Gallery, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, New English Art Club, Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers and at the Royal Scottish Academy and Royal Hibernian Academy.

Short was elected New English Art Club in 1888, Royal Academy in 1911 and Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers in 1885, becoming President of the latter in 1910. In 1891, Short was appointed Director of Engraving at the RCA, becoming Professor in 1913 and remained in this influential position until his retirement in 1924. He was also a Master of the Art Workers' Guild, a member of the Society of Mezzotint Engravers and was undoubtedly one of the leading figures in the field of etching and engraving during the early years of the 20th century. A dedicated craftsman and confirmed traditionalist examples of his works can be seen at the Brighton and Hove Museums and Art Galleries, British Council, Museums Sheffield and at the Victoria and Albert Museum. He died in Lewes, Sussex.