Old Medical School, University of Sydney

Etching and drypoint on cream 270 gsm Velin Arches, 152 x 101 mm (plate); 525 x 375 mm (paper), signed lower right and dated 1922 – 76, titled and editioned 47/90 lower left. Fine condition, near mint, unframed.

Lloyd Rees’ earliest extant etching, one of two works he created in 1922. 

Old Medical School, University of Sydney is an accurate study of the building at the University. Influenced by the architectural drawings of Joseph Pennell, this work is also reminiscent of Rees’ imagined architectural views of Brisbane. One of two etchings created in 1922, the plate was not printed until 1965, when the plates were discovered at the advertising firm of Smith and Julius and printed by John Santry in an edition of only 1 or 2 proofs. When the Port Jackson Press was established by David Rankin in 1975, Rees was asked to make some etchings at the Press, however Rees was reluctant to return to the medium. Rather, he submitted his original 1922 plates, which were cleaned and bevelled by Max Miller, and subsequently printed in an edition of 90 copies.

Reference :

KOLENBERG, Hendrik. Lloyd Rees etchings and lithographs. A catalogue raisonne by Hendrik Kolenberg with an introduction by Lou Klepac. Sydney: The Beagle Press, 1986, p. 18 (illustrated)

Kolenberg 2a