Augustus Edwin John, R.A. 1878-1961.
Self-Portrait with Hat. 1920. Etching. 6 4/5 x 5 (sheet 12 1/4 x 10). Edition 150. A brilliant, rich impression with plate tone, printed on cream laid paper. Signed and dated in pencil. $4,500.
Rendered with the bravura and raw immediacy that defined Augustus John’s early printmaking output, Self-Portrait with Hat captures the artist at the height of his Bohemian prime. Working with a fluid, confident needle, John portrays himself wearing a wide-brimmed hat, his piercing gaze locked directly on the viewer with an intense, probing scrutiny.
The plate showcases his exceptional mastery of line: deeply etched, rich cross-hatching models the dramatic play of light and shadow across his features and the texture of his jacket, while free, energetic drypoint burr softens the contours of his disheveled hair and beard. Reminiscent of Rembrandt’s psychological intensity, this self-portrait stands as a brilliant testament to John’s status as one of the finest and most charismatic draughtsmen of the British 20th-century revival.
To order or to request additional details, please contact Jane Allinson. (jane@allinsongallery.com) or call +1 860 429 2322.