William Strang RA, Self-Portrait — original etching, published in PAN, 1896

William Strang RA, Self-Portrait — original etching, published in PAN, the legendary German Art Nouveau journal (Berlin, 1895-1900) in 1896.

The Scottish painter-etcher William Strang (1859–1921), looking straight back at you — moustache curled, etching needle in hand, caught at his own work. Strang was one of the great figures of the etching revival: he portrayed Thomas Hardy, Rudyard Kipling and Robert Louis Stevenson, and was elected Royal Academician shortly before his death. Here, in the manner of Rembrandt, he turned the needle on himself.

Signed and dated in the plate, W.Strang.95. This impression was published in 1896 in PAN, the celebrated Berlin Art Nouveau journal that tipped original prints by artists including Toulouse-Lautrec and Käthe Kollwitz into its pages. An original etching printed from Strang’s plate during his lifetime — not a reproduction — with the plate mark present and the letterpress PAN caption beneath the image. Related self-portrait etchings by Strang are held by the British Museum and the National Galleries of Scotland.

Some 130 years old, on good wove paper, in fine condition. Presented in a painted wooden frame under a wide mount.

Dimensions.  43 cm by 36 cm