Derricks at Night
Martin Lewis – Derricks at Night
Martin Lewis (1882-1962), Derricks at Night, drypoint, 1927. McCarron 62, second state (of 2), intended edition 100, 104 printed. Signed in pencil; also signed in the plate, lower right. In excellent condition (evidence of prior hinging upper corners,
Image size 7 7/8 x 11 7/8 inches, sheet size 11 1/4 x 15 /7/8 inches.
Provenance: Estate of Delores D. DiPaola; also with the Kennedy stock number verso.
A superb, atmospheric impression in warm black ink, with rich burr, on cream laid paper.
Illustrated in Contemporary American Etching, American Art Dealers Association, New York, 1930.
Derricks at Night is one of the few Lewis prints having more than one state; the composition was substantially set in the first state but small adjustments in many areas were made for a second state (e.g., “wooden slat below globe of lamp defined; bracket holding streetlight strengthened”, etc.).
Derricks at night is one of Lewis’s great Precisionist works, seemingly also demonstrating a cubist sensibility.