Original Lester George Hornby Paris Cafe Etching - Listed Artist "The Little Rendez-Vous"

Estate fresh original etching c.1920s of a Paris Cafe titles 'The Little Rendez - Vous' by listed American artist Lester George Hornby. The etching is signed in the plate as well as in pencil. Overall the paper measures 9 3/4" by 12". The plate image is in good condition with light wear in areas. The piece comes unframed. Great original antique Paris etching ready to be framed.

Lester George Hornby was married to Bertha Grover Goodrich, his last wife. They lived in Rockport, Massachusetts until his death in 1956. Together they built the "old on purpose" house using old materials to build a "new" "old" house. Lester is the one who gave the name "Motif #1" to the old fish house that has become so famous.

During WWI Hornby was a war correspondent. As did most artists at the time who did illustrations in relation to the war, Hornby had to have war- related pictures approved by the government before being published. In one case the war department refused to give permission because they felt his illustration was so accurate and well done that the enemy would have access to too much information. Hornby worked in the trenches with the men and his work reflects this.

At a Philadelphia exhibit of color etchings in 1909 the critic called Hornby
"the foremost exponent of this branch of graphic art that America has
produced."

The critic Rowland Thomas wrote in 1910 "Hornby is beyond doubt a master
etcher with such power of eye and hand as our generation has hardly known
before. Not since Whistler posed with the Universe on his needle point has
anyone scratched on solid metal lines of such electrifying, such insolently
simple conciseness as these- a new old Paris leaps transfigured and revealed for those who will glory in her."

Boston critic W.H. Downes found "Hornby's etchings among the best and most
artistic being done by any American, and some of the Marne set are
masterpieces."

A 1928 exhibit of watercolors at the Vose Gallery in Boston won a rave from
critic A.J. Philpott "He has been compared to Joseph Pennell but that is not
a fair comparison. Hornby is a much more versatile genius than Pennell ever
was!"

Hornby's work is in the permanent collections of 21 museums worldwide.

Consistent with age and use.

9 3/4" x 12"

18%

Don Barese, Dan Kingsbury | (203) 281-7438 | ctestatefinds@gmail.com

Pickup Details

PRIVATE LOCATION

Cheshire, CT 06410

When to Pickup

Saturday, 1/16, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

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