Of Human Bondage, Chapter 49
During July, August, and September of 1937, Sloan made sixteen etchings illustrating W. Somerset Maugham's novel, 'Of Human Bondage.' The commission was given to Sloan in April 1937 by George Macy, director of the Limited Editions Club of New York. The club was devoted to producing fine illustrated editions of well-known books.
'Of Human Bondage' was issued in a two-volume set, in an edition of 1,500 copies. Each of the two volumes contains eight original etchings by Sloan. The printing of all of the etchings was done by Charles Furth in New York. The prints are in black ink on putty-white rag paper made by the Worthy Paper Co., specifically for this edition.
A special artist's edition of 25 was also printed by White for Sloan's own use (subsequent to the printing for the books) using a heavy cream wove paper with a mesh patterning and a star watermark, and without captions. The prints for the artist's edition were all signed by Sloan - the book prints were not, but the colophon at the end of the second volume of each set was, see: Morse 1969, p. 312.
Volume 1, frontispiece, facing title page. Original caption from book: "Flanagan ... with a wild shout leaped over the barrier ..."
'Of Human Bondage' was issued in a two-volume set, in an edition of 1,500 copies. Each of the two volumes contains eight original etchings by Sloan. The printing of all of the etchings was done by Charles Furth in New York. The prints are in black ink on putty-white rag paper made by the Worthy Paper Co., specifically for this edition.
A special artist's edition of 25 was also printed by White for Sloan's own use (subsequent to the printing for the books) using a heavy cream wove paper with a mesh patterning and a star watermark, and without captions. The prints for the artist's edition were all signed by Sloan - the book prints were not, but the colophon at the end of the second volume of each set was, see: Morse 1969, p. 312.
Volume 1, frontispiece, facing title page. Original caption from book: "Flanagan ... with a wild shout leaped over the barrier ..."
Artwork Details
- Title: Of Human Bondage, Chapter 49
- Artist: John Sloan (American, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania 1871–1951 Hanover, New Hampshire)
- Date: 1937
- Medium: Etching
- Dimensions: Plate: 5 7/8 × 3 15/16 in. (15 × 10 cm)
Sheet: 11 9/16 × 9 5/16 in. (29.4 × 23.7 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of Ernest Shapiro and Family, 1995
- Object Number: 1995.411.144
- Rights and Reproduction: © 2025 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
John Sloan
1946
John Sloan
1927
John Sloan
1927
John Sloan
1908
John Sloan
1901
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.