W.L. Wyllie (1851-1931) - Battle Cruisers in the Firth of Forth off Leith

William Lionel Wyllie was one of the foremost British marine artists towards the end of the 19th century and at the start of the 20th century. He was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy (as well as being a Royal Academician) and was proficient in oils, watercolours and etchings. He had a great skill in etchings and was involved in the entire process himself. He used copper plates and then destroyed them after completing his modest output to make sure the works remained highly collectable. His skill as an etcher remains almost unrivalled amongst his contemporaries as he always managed to display both detail and atmosphere in each work.  Wyllie would sign his etchings in pencil and we only sell original works by the artist.
 
Wyllie's wife recalled: 'For the many etchings...every drawing was made from nature first, using nothing but black - not body colour, the lights just picked out. He was a rapid worker, and very accurate.' [1]
 
This signed proof etching by Wyllie depicts British Battle Cruisers in the Firth of Forth off Leith c.1918.
 
Medium: Etching and drypoint on wove paper, signed in pencil l.l. 'W L Wyllie', 17.3 x 45.1cm, framed (36.4 x 63.4cm). 
 
Provenance: The Parker Gallery, London sold for £335 in 1996 (invoice included along with an Anthony Reed label verso, they presumably did the mount and frame).
 
Bibliography:
 
[1] Roger Quarm and John Wyllie,  'W.L. Wyllie: Marine Artist, 1851-1931', Chris Beetles Ltd: 1981, p.70.
 
Condition report: please see photos, there are several scratch markings on the left hand-side of the etching. There is some general time staining and the frame shows a bit of wear.