DOI issue:
No. 178 (January, 1908)
DOI article:Newbolt, Frank: The etchings of Mr. Fred. V. Burridge, R.E.
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20776#0320
F. V. Bur ridge, R.E.
"THE DOCKYARD SMITHY'' BY FRED. V. BURRIDGE
interesting without being beautiful, and characteristicr
of Mr. Burridge's impetuosity and daring without
resembling his other plates. The latter has only one-
fault, and that is that it looks as if it might have been
etched almost, if not quite, as well by at least two-
other contemporary artists. Otherwise it is as nice
as can be. The subject has attracted many to attempt
it, and no one has done it better. In fact it is a.
model study, and will doubtless send many beginners
to the workshop : but beautiful as it is it does not:
declare itself to be the work of the maker of The
Marsh Farm. It was done as an experiment in
getting all the values by crosshatching, so that the-
etching could be carried through in one biting. With
the exception of a few lines in the foreground this
plan was carried out, and it is a brilliant example of
technical accuracy.
Another study, Patriarchs, is less interesting as a.
picture, as it is merely a finished etching of trees
in full foliage, but it is solid and well thought out.
The Mill in the Wirral, a small plate, attracts us-
much more : it has more originality and life, and
certain elements of sketchiness, and hints of accidents-
and bits of overbiting, and daring shadows which,
capture the fancy, as tired, of the perfect as of the
uncouth. It is one of the moot points, whether an-
etching ought ever to be perfect, in the sense that
Palmer's and David Law's were perfect, or whether it
ought to be content to be suggestive ; it is certain,,
however, that an etching ought not to be uncouth, or
"THE MARSH FARM ' BY FRED. V. BURRIDGE
286
"THE DOCKYARD SMITHY'' BY FRED. V. BURRIDGE
interesting without being beautiful, and characteristicr
of Mr. Burridge's impetuosity and daring without
resembling his other plates. The latter has only one-
fault, and that is that it looks as if it might have been
etched almost, if not quite, as well by at least two-
other contemporary artists. Otherwise it is as nice
as can be. The subject has attracted many to attempt
it, and no one has done it better. In fact it is a.
model study, and will doubtless send many beginners
to the workshop : but beautiful as it is it does not:
declare itself to be the work of the maker of The
Marsh Farm. It was done as an experiment in
getting all the values by crosshatching, so that the-
etching could be carried through in one biting. With
the exception of a few lines in the foreground this
plan was carried out, and it is a brilliant example of
technical accuracy.
Another study, Patriarchs, is less interesting as a.
picture, as it is merely a finished etching of trees
in full foliage, but it is solid and well thought out.
The Mill in the Wirral, a small plate, attracts us-
much more : it has more originality and life, and
certain elements of sketchiness, and hints of accidents-
and bits of overbiting, and daring shadows which,
capture the fancy, as tired, of the perfect as of the
uncouth. It is one of the moot points, whether an-
etching ought ever to be perfect, in the sense that
Palmer's and David Law's were perfect, or whether it
ought to be content to be suggestive ; it is certain,,
however, that an etching ought not to be uncouth, or
"THE MARSH FARM ' BY FRED. V. BURRIDGE
286