Marseille – etching with hand colouring

Richard Beer (1928-2017)

A working proof etching with hand colouring in watercolour called Marseille, from Richard Beer’s own personal collection of prints.  The work is unsigned.

This was presumably an early ‘pull’ in black and white which was then hand coloured by Beer in preparation for his final complete coloured etching which we have for sale also. A charming work showing figures by a park on a chilly March day (we know this is March as we have the original drawing the artist dated but we don’t know what year).  Striking shuttered buildings in pastel colours stand out behind the bare black trees. 

We are selling the pencil drawing the artist completed in situ, as well as the final etching which was an editio of just 10 separately on our site.  It is really fascinating  and quite rare to be able appreciate the ‘journey’ of the print, from its initial preparatory in situ drawing, to its hand coloured early ‘pull’ and then the final finished edition.

Beer spent many holidays travelling through southern Europe where he sketched, drew and painted landscapes, architecture and street scenes as inspiration for his etchings and paintings which he would complete on his return to his Primrose hill home and studio. 

Provenance: from the estate sale of the late Richard Beer 

Measurements: 54 x 28cm plate size

Condition: Unframed, excellent condition within the image, some tape marks and pin holes to the margins where it would have been displayed for reference, some inky marks to margin

This work has now been sold