From the early 1800's up until the 1875 the medium of etching was used mostly to reproduce paintings. Long gone were Durer, Rembrant, and Piranesi who along with others produced beautiful original works of art in the medium. However, around 1870 things began to change. Great artists again became interested in the medium and so began what came to be called the Etching Revival in the United States.
This revival period also included a small group of talented women artists. Their work and biographies are documented in the book "American Women of the Etching Revival" by Phyllis Peets. This group of woman artist includes Mary Cassat, Mary Louise McLaughlin, Mary Nemo Moran, Ellen Day Hale, Blanche Dillaye, Eliza Pratt Greatorex, and Ellen Oakford.
Presented here is a small archive of the work of etcher and teacher Ellen Oakford, which was purchased directly from her family. Most of the works are printed on thin tissue-like laid paper. Only scattered examples of her work appear on the internet and I thought more was needed. Works like these can be for sale in my eBay store
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Portrait - Etching by Ellen Oakford |
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Landscape - Etching by Ellen Oakford |
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Portrait of a Lady - Ellen Oakford - 1887 |
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Lansdcape Etching by Ellen Oakford - Signed with Initials on Verso |
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Woman in Orchard with Book - Etching by Ellen Oakford |
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American Women of the Etching Revival - Peet |