1934 Dutchmen's Breeches Aquatint by Cynthia Iliff Koehler

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This is a great piece. This is one of those pieces that I believe belongs in a museum. Cynthia iliff … Read more This is a great piece. This is one of those pieces that I believe belongs in a museum. Cynthia iliff was an american artist who taught for many years at the pennsylvania academy as well as being an illustrator of children's books and a printmaker. I have not found a worthy complete biography on the artist but what I have found is a great collection of her prints at the philadelphia museum of art. In fact if you go to their website you will see that there is 12 different prints that are pictured. I have only found one other different print in a different museum that is also shown on their website but that is all. I am thinking that her prints, are well collected and well documented. This print is one of those that I think might have gone completely unknown for most of her career and the documentation of her work. The reason I think that is, is due to the incredibly limited production run of this print. When I first took it out of the broken frame I was excited to find some early original writing on the back paper that the print is attached to. It gives the artist's name, the print name, the media, and information that this was done in 5 proofs. That means that this was one of only 5 original prints that she made of this image. Being such a deep and difficult work, I can see why after 5 prints or so, the quality of them would have gone way down. It is also why I am guessing that there are none others out there, particularly in the museums. And why I feel this one should be in a museum. A beautiful crisp and dark image of flowers measuring 8 x 10 inches on complete original sheet measuring 10 3/4 x 15 1/4 inches. Signed, dated and titled in pencil below the image. As you can see the margins show a toning box as well as a great deal of spotting. With the close up photos you can also see that some of the spotting is visible in the image. Overall, those spots really show up more on the photo then they do with the naked eye. The print is taped at the corners to the original backing that has the details on it. Actually only top corners are still attached. I have done nothing to change the way it sits. I feel that this print is a good cleaning away from being a prize addition to any american print collection. I have left that restoration the new owner to have done by the restorer of their choice. Do your own research on this artist and print. A special work and a must have for any philadelphia print collector. See less