William Lionel Wyllie RA (1851-1931) - Feluccas on the Nile, the Pyramids beyond

William Lionel Wyllie was one of the foremost British marine artists towards the end of the 19th century and at the start of the 20th century. He was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy (as well as being a Royal Academician) and was proficient in oils, watercolours and etchings. He had a great skill in etchings and was involved in the entire process himself. He used copper plates and then destroyed them after completing his modest output to make sure the works remained highly collectable. His skill as an etcher remains almost unrivalled amongst his contemporaries as he always managed to display both detail and atmosphere in each work.  Wyllie would sign his etchings in pencil and we only sell original works by the artist.
 
Wyllie's wife recalled: 'For the many etchings...every drawing was made from nature first, using nothing but black - not body colour, the lights just picked out. He was a rapid worker, and very accurate.' [1]
 
This etching is titled 'Feluccas on the Nile, the Pyramids beyond' and is a rare work by Wyllie of an Egyptian composition. It shows the traditional Felucca boats sailing along the River Nile with the imposing backdrop of the Pyramids framing the scene.
 
Medium: Etching with drypoint on wove paper, signed in pencil l.l. 'W L WYLLIE', 15.9 x 37.5 cm (etching size), framed.
 
Bibliography:
 
[1] Roger Quarm and John Wyllie,  'W.L. Wyllie: Marine Artist, 1851-1931', Chris Beetles Ltd: 1981, p.70.
 
Condition report: generally very good. The frame shows a small amount of wear. It appears to be the original frame with a recent mount. Please see photographs.