W.L. Wyllie (1851-1931) - The Battle of Jutland. The Grand Fleet in Action
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 rare and particularly large soft ground etching by Wyllie depicts the Battle of Jutland, 31st May 1916 with the Grand Fleet in Action. It was published circa 1920 and is an original Signed Artist's Proof. The German High Seas Fleet had steamed out into the North Sea and was intercepted by the British Grand Fleet under Admiral Lord Jellicoe. The encounter was indecisive due to the thick mist, which enabled the Germans to make their escape. Although the losses were about equal on each side, the moral victory was with the British, because, from that time on, the German High Seas Fleet never put to sea again.
Medium: Etching and drypoint on wove paper, signed in pencil l.l. 'W L Wyllie', 25.9 x 49.4cm, framed (45.3 x 68cm). Published 1920, Signed Artist's Proof.
Provenance: The Parker Gallery, London (invoice verso along with an Anthony Reed label, 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: generally in good condition for its age. There is time staining throughout and some cockling in the paper (please see photos which help to give examples of the above). The frame shows some wear and there is a pencil inscription l.l. on the mount saying 246/97.