La Tresse (Anais)
Gerald Leslie Brockhurst (1891-1978), La Tresse (Anais), etching, 1926, signed in pencil lower right [also signed and dated in reverse in the plate lower left]. Reference: Fletcher 56, seventh state (of 7). In very good condition apart from slight light toning, with wide margins, 8 3/8 x 6 3/4, the sheet 11 x 8 3/4 inches, archival window mat.
A fine impression, with a light veil of plate tone overall; printed on greyish/black ink on an ivory wove paper.
La Tresse refers to the long braid of hair held by Anais, Brockhurst’s first wife.
Gerald Leslie Brockhurst was one of the outstanding British artists of the early 20th Century, hugely popular in the ’20’s and early ’30’s. Today he is still renowned for his poignant images of young women and girls and several portraits of contemporaries (Rushbury, McBey); to print lovers portraits such as this example show him at his best: a master etcher, and superb draftsman.