Meaux Cathedral
John Marin (1870-1953), Meaux Cathedral, etching, 1907, signed in pencil lower right (also titled and numbered 25/26) [also signed and dated in the plate lower right]. Reference: Zigrosser 75, second state (of 2). From the edition of about 25 impressions. In good condition, a tiny rubbed area near plate mark left, with wide margins, on an ivory wove paper, 9 x 6 5/8, the sheet 14 3/4 x 6 5/8 inches, archival matting with window mat.
A fine atmospheric impression, with substantial plate tone, carefully wiped to highlight the glass windows of the church and the courtyard in the foreground; the building at the right, for example, has been covered with a delicate veil of plate tone.
The composition was essentially complete in the first state; in the second state Marin added some work on the chimney and building on the right.
The success of this composition apparently led the Gazette des Beaux Arts to commission Marin to create another print of the same subject for a large unsigned edition pulled from a steel faced plate; the Gazette print (Zigrosser 76) is an entirely new version, not to be confused with the small edition of fine hand pulled, carefully wiped, and pencil signed impressions as represented by our print.