ROI PARTRIDGE - RARE 1930-1931 CARMEL COAST ETCHING

" Carmel Coast ". ( 1930 - 1931 ):  Original etching in black ink on fine laid rag paper by Roi Partridge ( 1888 - 1984 ): created in 1930 - 1931 / printed in 1931. Signed in pencil in center bottom margin: also signed and dated in the plate: The first state of the first edition ( before the removal of the dates in the plate ): from a total edition of 71 impressions: image/ plate size: 13 7/8 inches by 10 7/8 inches ( 35 x 27.3cm ):  titled in pencil on the extreme lower left bottom margin edge: framed. ( ref: The Graphic Art of Roi Partridge: A White / catalogue raisonne ).

A magnificent example of one of Roi Partridge's most sought after images from his 1930 - 1931 Carmel Series. A bold abstracted rock composition with three Cormorants overlooking the sweeping Carmel coast.

This image was first exhibited at the Seattle Art Museum in 1931 ( catalogued as " On The Carmel Coast " ) followed by exhibitions at National Academy of Design, Mills College and the San Francisco Art Museum. The work was illustrated in 1932 in Fine Prints of The Year. ( Collections: National Academy of Design: National Museum of American Art: Brooklyn Museum: Mills College. ).

NOTE: Actual paper color is white similar to that in my second photo showing the signature close ups ): The work is in mint original condition ( no foxing, marks, holes, stains or abrasions ): the full original sheet with wide margins ( sheet size: 17 1/4 x 13 3/4 inches ( 35 x 27.3cm ): sheet not laid or glued down: new archival hinges at top: new archival mat and frame backing: framed in a fine polished black satin colored museum liner style wood frame: framed under new museum grade UV protective plexiglas.( frame also in excellent condition ).

Roi George Partridge was born in Centralia in the territory of Washington in 1888.  At age four Roi (ne George Roy) Partridge moved with his family to Seattle where his father worked as a typesetter and later owned the local newspaper.  In 1909 the Seattle Public Library held a major survey exhibition of graphic arts which included prints by Old Masters as well as James Whistler, Francis Haden, Joseph Pennell and B.J.O. Nordfeldt.  It was a seminal exhibition for Partridge, that same year the budding artist traveled to New York City for one year of art study at the National Academy of Design, followed by studies in etching in Munich under Brockhoff. 

Partridges' next three years were spent in Paris where he worked as a printmaker.  When the German troops were approaching the French capital in 1914, he returned to Seattle. When 44 of his etchings were shown at the Panama Pacific Exposition in 1915, he decided to make California his home.  After moving to San Francisco in 1917, he began teaching at Mills College in Oakland in 1920 and became the first director of the school's art gallery.  His first marriage was to the famed photographer Imogen Cunningham. In 1946 Partridge took a leave of abscence from Mills College. He continued etching until his retirement in 1954. Partridge achieved international recognition as one of Americas' greatest artists specializing almost exclusively in the art of etching.

MEMBERSHIPS
National Academy of Design
Chicago Society of Etchers;
California Society of Etchers;
Brooklyn Society of Etchers;
San Francisco Art Association

EXHIBITIONS
Alaska-Yukon Expo (Seattle), 1909 (medal)
National Academy of Design, 1910 (medal)
Art Institutue of Chicago, 1921 (medal)
Socl??t?? des Artistes Francais
Soci??t?? Nationale des Beaux Arts (Paris)
Los Angeles County Museum of Art 1922, 1925, 1929 (medal)
California Prairie Printmakers Society, 1928 (gold medal)
Library of Congress, 1943.

MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
National Museum of American Art
Oakland Museum; New York Public Library
De Young Museum
San Francisco Museum of Art
Museum of Modern Art / New York
Toledo (OH) Museum
California State Library
Los Angeles County Museum
San Diego Museum
Toronto Art Gallery
Honolulu Academy of Art
Art Institute of Chicago
Carnegie Institute