This is one of the finest mezzotint prints made by George Percival Gaskell (1868 - 1934). The subject is the same as an earlier etching by him which was his diploma work on election as an Associate of the Society of Painters, Etchers and Engravers in 1908.
Gaskell was born in Shipley, Yorkshire. He was educated at Leys School, Cambridge, and subsequently studied at the Royal College of Art London, and then in Paris and Italy.
He was a lecturer in the history of art at Oxford, Cambridge, and London Universities; from 1896 until retirement in 1930 was headmaster of Regent Street Polytechnic, London.
Gaskell exhibited at the Royal Academy, Royal Society of Painters Etchers..., Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, Royal Society of British Artists (elected member 1896) and at the Paris Salon. He was also a member of the Art Workers' Guild.
Gaskell died in Hampstead in 1934.
This is certainly a very moody and mysterious image of a fantastic castle at Neuschwanstein in Germany. It also has an alternative title of "The Mad King's Castle.
This fairytale castle was rebuilt and renovated by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who reigned from 1846 - 1866. He was often referred to as the Fairy Tale King - as he created palaces with elaborate and quite the most fantastical elements for the architecture and interiors. Ludwig spent a fortune on his architectural creations and soon ran out of money - his obsession led him to be declared insane - and he was interned in a sanitarium - where he died in 1866.
Neuschwanstein Castle stands high on a rocky mountaintop. The main section of the building is shown to the left - and the watchtower is on the right.
I love the dark velvety sky - which is enlivened with a couple of little twinkling white stars.
Dimensions: Image size 22 x 24.8 cm. The frame size is 47 x 43 cm.
The frame is in excellent condition- the window mount is a dusky print tone - which certainly enhances the dark tones of the print.
A work of museum quality - an impression is the Prints and Drawings collection at the British Museum. It comes from an edition of 100 signed proofs.
CONDITION. This beautiful print is in good vintage condition. There is a little touch of brown spotting to the top left-hand corner in the dark sky area. This is not so obvious when the print is on display hanging on your wall - and it is only really noticeable when you angle to the print to see it in bright raking light. This light area of spotting is taken into account with my pricing - please look at this area in my photographs.
The postage is for delivery in the UK with Parcelforce24, tracked and signed for. It will be very carefully packed to arrive in pristine condition. This will cost £10 and applied to your order at the checkout.