Grim Spain
Seymour Haden was the unlikely combination of a surgeon and an etcher. Although he pursued a very successful medical career, he is mostly remembered for his etched work as well as for his writings on etching. He was one of a group of artists, including James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903) and Alphonse Legros (1837–1911), whose passionate interest in the medium led to the so-called etching revival, a period that lasted well into the twentieth century. The extolling of etching for its inherent spontaneous qualities reached its pinnacle during this time. While the line of the etching needle, Haden wrote, was "free, expressive, full of vivacity," that of the burin was "cold, constrained, uninteresting," and "without identity."
An entrance to a fortification in Burgos, seen in perspective, to left, with two bell towers; a small house behind; a partial view of the town in background.
"This and the following eleven plates (Nos 173-184) were drawn during a visit to Spain and Portugal with Sir John Charles Robinson.
State I (D1, H1). Printed by Goulding for The Fine Art Society for publication in Frederick Wedmore's 'Four Masters of Etching' (London, 1883). One of the moorish gateways of the castle at Burgos. In the distance to the right a convent before a row of cypress trees. There is foul-biting, especially in the lower right. With the inscription 'Seymour Haden 1877' (E, l.l.)."
[Source: Schneiderman, p. 337]
"Published State: First.-'Seymour Haden 1877'. The town and walls of Burgos."
[Source: Harrington, p. 94]
An entrance to a fortification in Burgos, seen in perspective, to left, with two bell towers; a small house behind; a partial view of the town in background.
"This and the following eleven plates (Nos 173-184) were drawn during a visit to Spain and Portugal with Sir John Charles Robinson.
State I (D1, H1). Printed by Goulding for The Fine Art Society for publication in Frederick Wedmore's 'Four Masters of Etching' (London, 1883). One of the moorish gateways of the castle at Burgos. In the distance to the right a convent before a row of cypress trees. There is foul-biting, especially in the lower right. With the inscription 'Seymour Haden 1877' (E, l.l.)."
[Source: Schneiderman, p. 337]
"Published State: First.-'Seymour Haden 1877'. The town and walls of Burgos."
[Source: Harrington, p. 94]
Artwork Details
- Title: Grim Spain
- Artist: Sir Francis Seymour Haden (British, London 1818–1910 Bramdean, Hampshire)
- Date: 1877
- Medium: Etching; first (final) state (Harrington); first state of two (Schneiderman)
- Dimensions: Sheet: 7 5/16 × 10 5/16 in. (18.5 × 26.2 cm)
Plate: 6 × 8 7/8 in. (15.2 × 22.5 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
- Object Number: 17.3.2078
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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