Najeda (Ballerina)
Gerald Brockhurst (1890-1978), etching, 1924, signed in pencil lower right [also signed, in reverse, in the plate]. Reference: Fletcher 47, second state (of 2). In excellent condition, printed in black on cream wove paper, with wide margins, 5 7/8 x 4 3/8, the sheet 9 1/2 x 8 3/4 inches, archival windowmat mounting.
A fine impression with exquisite detailing.
At this point in his career Brockhurst focused his portraiture on women; Najeda is a fine example of this work.
Brockhurst created shading through a system of elaborate cross-hatching; he also evidently used an exceedingly subtle stipple or dot-printing technique, which involved punching the copper plate with a needle point, creating tiny indentations in the plate which would hold ink. In Najeda this dotted work is evident on Najeda’s arms, neck and face.