Paul Revere's House, Boston by Alexander A. Blum

This is an etching of Paul Revere's House, Boston by American artist Alexander Aladar Blum. It was created in 1919. The etching demonstrates the influence Whistler had on Blum's composition. There is extensive use of negative space in the upper third and lower right of the image. The house itself occupies that middle third of the image. It is non-descript and anachronistic in that the small cottage is surrounded by multi-story apartment buildings. Blum includes many people along the street, including a small boy sitting on the curb in the center foreground. Blum also uses an impressionist technique of lighter etching and less detail at the right and left border to focus the viewer, but also to convey life and activity in the scene. There is effective use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro). Plate toning enhances the mood of the piece. It's a fine example of Blum's artistic gifts. A example of this etching is held in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. It's a wonderful piece to celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and Revere's role in the Revolutionary War. The etching itself is in very good condition. It is pencil signed lower right A. A. Blum. The plate size is 7.75 x 11 inches. It is framed and the frame size is 16 x 20.5 inches. It has not been examined out of the frame. The original framing materials were not archival, so there is evidence of mat burn, but this is well away from the image. The backing shows some staining from water, but this does not affect the image. Otherwise, there are no issues with the etching, including no tears, paper loss, foxing, stains, or fading.

Alexander Blum (1888-1969): A fine American painter, etcher and illustrator, Alexander A. Blum studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, and with the Art Students' League of New York. During the 1920's and 1930's his art was included in many major exhibitions in Washington, Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia and Boston. After 1940 most of Blum's artistic work was in the field of illustration. Among other museums, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts owns an extensive collection of Blum's etchings and paintings.
Alexander Blum's artistic career may be roughly divided into two categories. Until 1930, most of his etchings were architectural views of major cities within the eastern United States. Later, he turned towards figure studies and more decorative compositions which in turn inclined him to the illustrative arts.