Dolmellynlyn
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."
Scotch firs stand on a sloping hill, in the foreground, to the left; at mid-distance, a river valley with trees seen from distance. Counterproof.
"A well-known romantic spot, the Dolmellynlyn Estate in North Wales was a tourist attraction early in the nineteenth century. A tour-guide's handbill published in Thomas Roscoe's Wanderings and Excursions in North Wales (London, 1836, 235) advertises a walking tour 'to and over the most tremendous Mountain, Cader Idris, to the stupendous cataracts of Cayn and Mawddach, and to the enchanting cascades of Dolmellynlyn, with all its beautiful and romantic scenery.
State II (Da?, I impression; Ha). Additional etched work on the foreground rocks, the sheep are completed and tree added to the right middle distance. The signature re-etched and is à double trait."
[Source: Schneiderman, p. 291]
"Trial Proofs: (a) On a stone in front, 'Dolmellynlyn,' and 'Seymour Haden' to the right. Coll. H."
[Source: Harrington, p. 75]
Scotch firs stand on a sloping hill, in the foreground, to the left; at mid-distance, a river valley with trees seen from distance. Counterproof.
"A well-known romantic spot, the Dolmellynlyn Estate in North Wales was a tourist attraction early in the nineteenth century. A tour-guide's handbill published in Thomas Roscoe's Wanderings and Excursions in North Wales (London, 1836, 235) advertises a walking tour 'to and over the most tremendous Mountain, Cader Idris, to the stupendous cataracts of Cayn and Mawddach, and to the enchanting cascades of Dolmellynlyn, with all its beautiful and romantic scenery.
State II (Da?, I impression; Ha). Additional etched work on the foreground rocks, the sheep are completed and tree added to the right middle distance. The signature re-etched and is à double trait."
[Source: Schneiderman, p. 291]
"Trial Proofs: (a) On a stone in front, 'Dolmellynlyn,' and 'Seymour Haden' to the right. Coll. H."
[Source: Harrington, p. 75]
Artwork Details
- Title: Dolmellynlyn
- Artist: Sir Francis Seymour Haden (British, London 1818–1910 Bramdean, Hampshire)
- Date: 1873
- Medium: Etching (counterproof); trial proof a (Harrington); second state of three(Schneiderman)
- Dimensions: Sheet (trimmed): 9 13/16 × 12 3/16 in. (25 × 31 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
- Object Number: 17.3.614
- 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.
Sir Francis Seymour Haden
The Fine Art Society, London
1879
Sir Francis Seymour Haden
The Fine Art Society, London
1879
Sir Francis Seymour Haden
1864
Sir Francis Seymour Haden
1865
Sir Francis Seymour Haden
1860
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.