This is a striking signed and numbered wood engraving printed in black ink on cream paper by renowned printmaker Clare Leighton (1899-1989). Titled "Ship Building," I know it was created in 1948 as it features in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Indeed, the Art Institute owns Leighton's full series of twelve "New England Industries" prints, of which this is one; others--which perfectly exemplify Leighton's lifelong interest in the subject of individuals working the land--portray occupations of Cod Fishing, Whaling, Maple Sugar-ing, etc. The whole series can be viewed in full here.
Clara Ellaline Hope Leighton (sometimes Clare Veronica Hope Leighton) was an English/American artist, writer and illustrator, best known for her wood engravings like this one. She attended the Brighton College of Art, the Slade School, and Central School of Arts and Crafts (now Central St. Martin's), where she studied wood engraving under Noel Rooke. During the late 1920s and 1930s, she visited the United States on a number of lecture tours, emigrating in 1939. Over the course of along and prolific career, she wrote and illustrated numerous books, and was the first woman to produce a book on wood-engraving (Wood-Engraving and Woodcuts, 1932), which played an important part in popularizing the medium. Her widely collected work is included in significant museum and private collections around the world. More on her here.
This print is numbered 9/150, titled, and signed in pencil. I am selling it as found: nicely matted and framed. The print measures 10" x 10". Framed: 16 3/4" x 20 3/4" x 5/8". The print is in excellent condition, with one small rough spot on the print sheet near the upper right corner, as documented--very minor. The mat has likely yellowed a bit with age but appears to be in excellent condition, with no spotting or mildew whatsoever. The frame is a simple painted black wood, papered on the back and strung with a wire for hanging. The is a slight glare that appears in a few of the images; this is not a flaw in the print.
Really a wonderful piece, and an especially apt for someone who lives in ship-building territory like I do! In which case, I am happy to offer local delivery or pick-up on this one!
