Title
The Old Bedford (small plate)
1910
Artist
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Details
- Date
- 1910
- Media category
- Materials used
- etching
- Edition
- only state
- Dimensions
- 11.3 x 8.6 cm platemark; 24.7 x 18.5 cm sheet
- Signature & date
Signed l.r., brown ink "Sickert". Not dated.
- Credit
- Purchased 2004
- Location
- Not on display
- Accession number
- 260.2004
- Copyright
- Artist information
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Walter Richard Sickert
Works in the collection
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About
Of all the artists who were part of the British Etching Revival of the early 20th century, Walter Sickert is the most original. He began his career as an assistant of Whistler and later came under the influence of Degas in Paris. In 1905 he returned to London and set up a press in Camden Town. At this time the Camden Town Group of painters was also developing under his leadership. His preferred subject-matter was that of cockney music-halls, figures in seedy domestic interiors and scenes of everyday working-class life.
Sickert's etchings were experimental and unusual for their time - in technique, style and subject-matter. He scorned the views of the contemporary etching scene such as the idea of the limited edition and that each impression should be unique. He also disliked artistic inking and wiping effects (exemplified by Whister and his disciples), and claimed that etchings ought to be "printed like visiting cards" in a mechanical process of multiplication.
'The Old Bedford' represents a partial view of Sickert's favourite music hall which was demolished in 1896. Spectators, some wearing bowler hats, are in the gallery with its richly decorated front. To the right is another view of partial decorations which are surmounted by an ornament with a lyre.
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Exhibition history
Shown in 2 exhibitions
The Ruth and Joseph Bromberg collection of Sickert prints and drawings, Fine Art Society PLC, London, 21 Sep 2004–21 Oct 2004
Grand Courts collection rehang, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Nov 2021–2023
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Bibliography
Referenced in 2 publications
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Ruth Bromberg, Walter Sickert: prints: a catalogue raisonné, 2000. cat.no. 135
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David Alan Mellor and Ian Jeffrey, Cityscape 1910-39: Urban themes in American, German and British Art, 'From Order to Apocalyse - the City in British Art 1890-1940', London, 1977-1978.
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