Box at the Metropolitan

Reginald Marsh (1898-1954), Box at the Metropolitan, etching and engraving, 1934, signed in pencil lower right, and numbered 22 (erased, lower left).  Reference: Sasowsky 143, fifth state (of 5). In very good condition (a few minor stains verso, slight skinning where prior hinging verso), with margins, 10 x 8, the sheet 11 ¾ x 8 7/8 inches.

A fine impression, printed on a heavy cream wove paper.

In 1936 Marsh made another Opera Box engraving (S. 162, known as Opera Box), a smaller print but with the same format, and also showing six people. The inhabitants of the box have changed, however, except for the woman center bottom and man center top (one can understand his favoring these two as models).  Both Opera Boxes were made at the height of the Great Depression; one suspects, judging from the expressions of the participants that Marsh was making a bit of a statement about the wealthy types who would be able to dress up formally and attend the opera during the period.