Iris (Nude Seated) – Second State
Arthur B. Davies (1862-1928), Iris (Nude Seated), 1916, drypoint on zinc, signed in pencil lower right. Reference: Czestochowski 33, second state (of 2), total printing unknown but small. In very good condition, with margins, printed in black with an overall plate tone on a light cream wove paper. 8 7/8 x 6 15/16, the sheet 12 1/2 x 9 5/8 inches, archival matting.
A very good impression, after the addition of roulette and various shades of aquatint in 1918.
In this delicately printed impression Davies achieves the floating gauzy effect of his pre-Armory show symbolist imagery. The light drypoint lines of the first state are now barely evident, as if they have been burnished, and three layers of aquatint now surround the wispy image.
There is an impression of Iris in the second state hand-colored by Frank Nankivell at Michigan State University. This was perhaps a guide for a contemplated color edition; however, no such color edition was made.