W.L. Wyllie (1851-1931) - Fort Blockhouse, Entrance to Portsmouth Harbour

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 etching depicts the Fort Blockhouse at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. Wyllie moved to Portsmouth in 1906 and it became a favourite backdrop for many of his pictures. This etching is numbered 39 in Roman numerals by Wyllie showing it was a limited print run for this work. Another example was sold by David Duggelby in 2018 which was numbered 63.
 
Medium: Etching and drypoint on wove paper, signed in pencil l.l. 'W L Wyllie' and inscribed l.r. 'No XXXIX', 15.7 x 37.4cm, framed (32.4 x 53.7cm). 
 
Bibliography:
 
[1] Roger Quarm and John Wyllie,  'W.L. Wyllie: Marine Artist, 1851-1931', Chris Beetles Ltd: 1981, p.70.
 
Condition report: generally in good condition. There is a bit of time staining particularly on the edges of the etching (please see photos for examples including a small mark in the sky). The frame also shows some wear.