Lot Essay
Van Heughten and Pabst have located 61 impressions of this print, 33 of which were printed by van Gogh and/or Dr. Gachet. A further 28 impressions are recorded by them as printed later by Paul Gachet Jr. This number excludes the current impression which as been in the Warrington collection since 1934.
The homeopathic Dr. Gachet was a friend of many Impressionist and Post Impressionist painters. He was himself a printmaker and printer with his own press.
The majority of van Gogh's graphic work is lithography, however the artist was very taken with the medium of etching and sent impressions to his brother Theo and to his friend Gauguin. Upon receipt Theo wrote to his brother on June 23rd, 1890, 'And now I must tell you something about your etching. It is a true painter's etching. No refinement in the execution but a drawing on metal. I find it a very beautiful drawing.' The date which appears on the etching was in all probability added at some point by Dr. Gachet. It seems more likely that 15th June was the actual date of execution. Theo had been in Auvers on June 8th so the likelihood of the print having been made in May but not shown to him on this visit seems small.
The homeopathic Dr. Gachet was a friend of many Impressionist and Post Impressionist painters. He was himself a printmaker and printer with his own press.
The majority of van Gogh's graphic work is lithography, however the artist was very taken with the medium of etching and sent impressions to his brother Theo and to his friend Gauguin. Upon receipt Theo wrote to his brother on June 23rd, 1890, 'And now I must tell you something about your etching. It is a true painter's etching. No refinement in the execution but a drawing on metal. I find it a very beautiful drawing.' The date which appears on the etching was in all probability added at some point by Dr. Gachet. It seems more likely that 15th June was the actual date of execution. Theo had been in Auvers on June 8th so the likelihood of the print having been made in May but not shown to him on this visit seems small.