Sleeping Harbor by Roselle H. Osk

This is an intense, atmospheric etching by Roselle H. Osk. It uses several etching techniques including aquatint and drypoint. The aquatint is used primarily in the waves and the artist is able to capture the sensation of the sunlight reflecting on the water. The pier and boats are in dark shadow, and she uses drypoint to emphasize the deep shadows. This really sets the mood of the piece. The chiaroscuro (light and shadow) is handled extremely well and we can experience the transition from dark to light as the sun peeks over the hills in the background. The piece is signed Roselle H. Osk in pencil lower right, and the title is given lower left. No edition is given, but that is not unusual for a piece from this period. The etching itself was in somewhat distressed condition. There were issues with toning, some paper loss (not directly impacting the image, but very close), foxing (a couple of spots can be seen at the bottom of the print). We reframed and matted the piece using archival materials to optimize the presentation. We extended that mat to the plate mark to cover the toning and tears. As such it looks great. The framed size is 14.75 x 18.25 inches. The price reflects the condition of the print. All things considered it is a very beautiful and haunting image.

Roselle H. Osk (1884 - 1954) is a well-known, though somewhat underappreciated etcher from the first half of the 20th century. A lifelong New Yorker, she was a graduate of Hunter College and a student at the Art Student's League from 1903-1906 and the National Academy (NYC) from 1912-1915. Her work was well-recognized during the 1930s and 40s. She was included in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's "Hundred Selected Prints" four times (1937, 1938, 1941, and 1947), and the Congressional Library, "Fine Prints of the Year, !938". Her work won numerous awards including prizes from the Philadelphia Print Club, the National Association of Women Artists (twice 1940, 1946), The Mint Museum of Art, and the Laguna Beach Art Association. She was a member of several prestigious print organizations including the Prairie Printmakers, the Society of American Etchers, the Chicago Society of Etchers, the California Academy of Fine Art, and the National Association of Woman Artsts. In addition to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Library of Congress, her works are held in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, the Los Angeles Museum and the New York Public Library. She is included in the book, "One Hundred Years...the National Association of Women Artists".

Size: 1930s
Price: $85
Framed Size: 14.75 x 18.25 inches
Plate Size: 7.75 x 10 inches
Condition: Fair
Medium: Aquatint Etching
Subject: Marine/Seascape

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