 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Listed Canadian Artist: (1867-1943)
Hand Pulled Mezzotint Etching: On cream coloured wove paper.
Signed in Pencil: “E.L.Laur 28” in the lower right corner, with monogram on plate
Sight size: w. 2.75 in. by h. 3.25 in
Edition Number: unknown
Our Title: Farmer plowing in the distance field
Print Condition: Near Pristine with no condition issues.
Frame & Matted: In our studio with archival acid-free materials throughout.
Edgar Lee Laur CPE, TASL, Canadian Artist & Printmaker
A Note of Interest: Egdar Le Laur had colour blindness, the decreased ability to see colour or differences in colour, but he turned that aspect of his life to an advantage. He favoured using the mezzotint etching method to create his hand-pulled prints, because it allowed him to work in shades and tones of just one colour ink, instead of using a varity of colours that would be used to produce an aquatint etching. Edgar created a low number of prints in each edition, usually no more than 50 copies per run, plus a few artist's proofs, which was the norm for noted printmakers of this era. The printmaking societies of the day frowned upon larger print runs and felt that lower numbers were warranted to help maintain an artist's printmaking integrity and also to bolster an artwork's overall value.
Edgar Lee Laur CPE, TASL, Canadian Artist Printmaker
Edgar Lee Laur was born near Aylmer, Elgin County, Ontario in 1867. He went on to study art and drawing at the Central Ontario School of Art (the Ontario College of Art) under William Cruikshank and Frederick Challener.
Edgar worked mainly in etching and mezzotint print making, and in particular did not work in colour because of his colour blindness. So, most of his artwork revolves around the art of black and white and he became known as an important mezzotint etcher of note. Edgar went on to marry Elizabeth Kick in 1896, but was soon devastated by her death and the death of their newborn daughter Vivian just one year later. Edgar found love once again and married Rena Belle Boughner on October 5th 1905 in Toronto.
Edgar Lee Laur’s work is represented in various private and public collections across Canada, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Ontario Gallery of Art and the Art Gallery of Hamilton. He became a member in good standing in the Art Student League Toronto in 1895, and also a member of the Mahlstick Club Toronto and took classes there in 1900. Edgar was also a charter member of the Canadian Painters and Etchers Society in 1919 and was involved in numerous exhibitions presented by them.
He exhibited his artworks at the C.N.E. From 1918 to 1935 and at the Ontario Society of Artists exhibitions from 1907 to 1931. The Art Gallery of Hamilton published a retrospect book of the Society of Painters and Etchers and its membership in 1981, this book displayed three of Edgar’s fine quality mezzotint etchings.
Edgar passed away in 1943.
Print Ref No: 11ME12EB-S/AOEX
Edgar Lee Laur, CPE, TASL, Noted Canadian Etcher
Updated November 3, 2023 |
|
|---|
