Artwork Description:
INCLUDES A frame WITH mat.. My use of INTAGLIO, AQUATINT, and DRYPOINT create an eerie balance of shadow and light in this First Edition, zinc-plate etching, which is limited to only FIVE prints I hand-printed all of the etchings at the Center for Works on Paper Fleisher Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.
The image size, and size of the zinc plate used, each measures 8-inches high by 6-inches wide or 20.320cm x 15.240cm. The paper size is close to 11-inches wide by 15-inches high or 27.940cm x 38.100cm. This edition uses a mixture of French, oil-based black inks Charbonnel brand, Paris printed on Rives BFK white paper 100 natural, also French. The hand-drawn balconies, hand railings, shutters, and tree shading all give my etching a wonderful New Orleans flavor. Four editions of this plate will be created, with a per edition limit of only five etchings this means that only twenty, hand-pulled original prints of this image will exist. Each of the four editions will be done using a different color ink and paper combination.15-inches high by 12-inches wide or 38.100cm x 30.480cm. The basis for this artwork grew out of my interest in the photographic works of Frances Benjamin Johnson 1864-1952, a female photographer. The photos were originally commissioned by The Carnegie Foundation to serve as a visual study of Architecture in the Southern United States. Presently I have four other works in the series. This scene embodies the geographic area surrounding a house at 712 Royal Street in New Orleans Johnson shot the photo in 1937. The collection is now a part of the US Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Library information on the original Johnson Photo is as followsPhoto Title in Archives is,“Bienvenu-Thomas House, 712 Royal St., New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana”. Its call Number and Physical Location are LC-J7-LA- 1119 Prints and Pictures. The Rights Advisory states that, “No known restrictions on publication” exist. HOUSE HISTORY The structure was built in 1823 for Dr. Pierre Thomas. During the rest of the century its ownership changed frequently the property was greatly prized because of the charming vistas of the cathedral garden and Royal St. from the house’s upstairs galleries. In 1932, the New Orleans Arts and Crafts Club, previously located in the old Seignouret home, moved into this location. This club’s mission involves the education and training of those interested in Visual Art. This may explain the whimsical, sculpted dummy with coconut head set outside the door.