St. Paul’s from Bankside

Dundee Art Galleries & Museum: 272-1987-22

Artist: Brunet-Debaines, Alfred-Louis

Date: 1877

State: 1/1

Size: 22.2 x 17.2 cm

Medium: Etching

Details Etching. Brown ink on wove paper. The New York Times, 30th July 1877 carried an advert for a series of works by Brunet-Debaines; ‘M. Brunet Debaines has undertaken a collection of Etchings of London which will be issued only to subscribers. The first series will include the Interior of the Temple Church, Fountain Court, Temple [although identified as separate prints Fountain Court and Temple are likely to be the single print Fountain Court, Temple], Temple Bar, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, St. Pauls from the River and Corn-Barges on the Thames and its completion will depend upon the number of subscriptions. Messrs. Seeley & Co., No. 54 Fleet-street, London, have consented to receive subscriptions, and the first series of six etchings will be sold for 2 guineas. Artist’s proofs to the number of 100 will be issued on Japanese paper.’ Orchar owned a complete set of Etchings of London therefore it seems likely he was one of the subscribers and purchased them during 1877.
Description In this scene Brunet-Debaines manages to combine both old and new London along with religion and commerce. The scene of industry dwarfs the cathedral yet its presence highlights the importance of the church and this building especially for the City of London.Three male figures sit on the right hand side admiring the scene whilst a further male glances out towards the view. The influence of Whistler is apparent here and comparison could be made between both artists’ views of the Thames, both in choice of subject matter and technique. The view is taken roughly from where Tate Modern now stands.
References
  1. Emmanuel Bénézit, Dictionary of Artists. Paris, Gründ, 2006
  2. Rodney K. Engen, Dictionary of Victorian Engravers, Print Publishers and Their Works. Cambridge, Chadwyck-Heley, 1979
  3. Algernon Graves, The Royal Academy of Arts: a complete dictionary of contributors and their work from its foundation in 1769 to 1904. Wakefield, S.R. Publishers, Ltd., Bath, Kingsmead Reprints, 1970
  4. Ian Mackenzie, British Prints: Dictionary and Price Guide. Woodbridge, Antique Collectors’ Club, 1998

 

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