This is a fine large etching by Albany E. Howarth (1872 - 1936).
This is one of his more sought-after etchings and it is a fine artwork showing the interior of Rosslyn Chapel looking down the nave to the Prentice Pillar. No part of the plate has been left untouched by Howarth's etching needle and he records faithfully all the details that he sees in this magnificent building. I have taken lots of images for your inspection.
I have another similar view by Hedley Fitton for sale on our site. I have noted all the details there about the legend of the Prentice Pillar - so I will not repeat all of that here.
Lettered inside plate, lower left: "Roslyn Chapel, | Edinburgh. | Published by Alfred Bell & Co Ltd. London W. Nov. 1st 1928"; lower right and is signed in pencil, lower left: Albany E. Howarth.
It is a nice crisp and clean impression. We have had it remounted with a new fresh window mount - all ready for you to frame. The sheet is loose and has not been laid down at any point in the past.
An impression is in the Yale Centre for British Art.
Many of Howarth's prints do not fetch very high sums - but this is an especially fine one and the interest in Rosslyn Chapel never fails to attract interest and speculation. This is taken into my account with the asking price - as is the excellent presentation of the artwork for sale.
The etching will be carefully packed flat with its new window mount - this will probably be with Parcelforce24. This will be applied to your order at the checkout. FREE DELIVERY IN THE EDINBURGH AREA.
BIOGRAPHY:
Albany E. Howarth was born in Durham in 1872. He started off his artistic career in the drawing offices of Armstrong Mitchell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The company was the largest employer in the area, manufacturing armaments, ships, locomotives, automobiles and aircraft.
Howarth later served as an illustration for northern newpapers and periodicals. He travelled around Britian and Western Europe capturing all the magnificent buildings that caught his eye. These included etchings of Oxford University (1909), Cambridge (1910) and wonderful views of Venice (1912), where he spent six months sketching.. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers in 1910. He lived in London and from 1906 – 1920 in Essex. He moved to Watford in 1920 and stayed there until his death in 1936.
His earlier work is documented in the 'Catalogue of Original Etchings Drypoints and Mezzotints by Albany E . Howarth A.R.E', published in 1912 by P& D Colnaghi & Obach.
In creating his etchings Howarth set about drawing the deepest lines first. He would then gradually add lighter tones to the plate as the etching process continued. He preferred to used a zinc plate rather than a softer copper and this allowed him to cut sharper and deeper lines. Howarth worked with several printers and publishers throughout his career (here with Alfred Bell, London). They would purchase the plate in order to produce a limited edition set of prints, after which the plate would be destroyed to preserve exclusivity. Howarth worked with Bell for a number of years – up until 1928 when this print (and another featuring St Giles) was issued. At this time many of his etchings were released through the Fine Art Trade Guild. They issued limited editions of between 125 – 250 impressions; each have the Guild’s blind stamp to the lower left margin, as on this sheet.