John Copley 1875–1950 & Ethel Gabain 1883–1950  Artists

The Etchings of John Copley

The following list is based on the entries in the artist’s record book. Numbers in parentheses refer to the number of impressions recorded by the artist. In some cases, he also noted the number of states, and this and other information from the record book is given in italics. References to the number of states given at the end of each entry have been derived from the prints remaining in the artist’s estate. If dimensions are not given, it indicates that no impression has been traced.

Those etchings recorded in Fine Prints of the Year from 1927 to 1936 were issued in editions of between 20 and 30. Thereafter printings were usually no more than 20 and sometimes less than 10. The later etchings were not printed in uniform editions, but frequently show a variety of effects in their inking.

The numbers given to each etching were first used in the catalogue of the exhibition John Copley & Ethel Gabain at Garton & Cooke in 1985. There are three minor anomalies but the numbering has not been changed, to avoid confusion: there are two studies of Chinese men, although only one was listed. They are given as 60 and 60a, although it is likely that they were done in the opposite order. Eva [91] appears to be the first state of Eva Against the Window [92], but may have been exhibited before the additional work. Two people [133] and The Prodigal Son [134] are in fact the same print.

The date given by the artist for each print refers to publication or first exhibition, and proofs exist in some cases with earlier dates written in his hand in the margin.

1917

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
1 Madonna Lillies Edition of 1
2 Lillies Edition of 1
3 A Young Apple Tree Edition of 3
4 Marjorie Standing Drypoint; edition of 2 25.3 × 15.2 cm · 10 × 6 inches
5 Eating Cherries Edition of 5 12 × 14 cm · 4 34 × 5 12 inches
6 Two Gentleman Edition of 2
7 A Lady’s Dress Edition of 4 17.6 × 12.6 cm · 6 78 × 5 inches
8 Men lifting a Marble Slab 2 states, 2nd with drypoint; edition of 5 20 × 25.2 cm · 7 78 × 9 78 inches

1922

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
9 Coldharbour Edition of 5; 2 states 10.1 × 15.1 cm · 4 × 6 inches
10 Chickens Edition of 4
11 The Forest Curtain Edition of 3
12 Eastwell
13 Sheep in Twilight Edition of 14 20.3 × 20.2 cm · 8 × 8 inches
14 Kent Sheep Edition of 10; 2 states 14.4 × 16.5 cm · 5 58 × 6 12 inches
15 Olantigh On zinc: 2 states 17.8 × 25.2 cm · 7 × 9 78 inches
16 Wych Elms Edition of 16; 2 states 17.5 × 25.1 cm · 6 78 × 9 78 inches
17 Sheep Grazing Etching and aquatint; edition of 17 29.7 × 19.7 cm · 11 34 × 7 34 inches
18 Sheep (Shorn) Edition of 17 15 × 20.7 cm · 5 78 × 8 18 inches

1923

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
19 The Weald Drypoint; edition of 3 8.9 × 9.5 cm · 3 12 × 3 34 inches
20 Downlands Drypoint; edition of 7
21 Bridge, Godmersham Drypoint; edition of 1 8.9 × 12.4 cm · 3 12 × 4 78 inches
22 Woodland Downs Drypoint; edition of 2
23 Apple Tree in blossom Drypoint; edition of 2
24 Parklands drypoint: edition of 3

1927

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
25 Battestina and Carnations 23.9 × 22.1 cm · 9 38 × 8 34 inches
26 Mani Rugate 24 × 22 cm · 9 12 × 8 58 inches
27 An Old Genovese 3 states; 1st: edition of 9; 2nd: edition of 1 23.7 × 21.9 cm · 9 38 × 8 58 inches
28 Olive Terraces 2 states 29.4 × 21.9 cm · 11 58 × 8 58 inches
29 From an Alassio Balcony 30.2 × 21.8 cm · 11 78 × 8 58 inches
30 Alassio 30 × 21.7 cm · 11 34 × 8 12 inches
31 Fig Trees in Winter 4 states 21.9 × 23.9 cm · 8 58 × 9 38 inches
32 A Noble Lady of Genoa (profile) 3 states 29.2 × 21.8 cm · 11 12 × 8 58 inches
33 An Italian Ice-Woman 2 states; 1st edition of 14; 2nd (with drypoint) 30.1 × 22 cm · 11 78 × 8 58 inches
34 A Capucin Friar (dark background) 23.9 × 21.8 cm · 9 38 × 8 58 inches
35 Dawn - Liguria 4 states; edition of 10 21.8 × 29.6 cm · 8 58 × 11 58 inches
36 Three Bathers Edition of 21 23.8 × 21.7 cm · 9 38 × 8 12 inches
37 Anselmo 2 states; 1st: edition of 9; 2nd: edition of 18 23.8 × 21.7 cm · 9 38 × 8 12 inches
38 A Maid of Alassio (small dark head) 17.8 × 13 cm · 7 × 5 18 inches
39 Battestina Pensosa 17.5 × 12.5 cm · 6 78 × 4 78 inches
40 La Vecchia (small) 17.8 × 12.8 cm · 7 × 5 inches
41 On the Spiaggia I Ships 17.8 × 13 cm · 7 × 5 18 inches
42 On the Spiaggia II Shells 17.8 × 13 cm · 7 × 5 18 inches
43 On the Spiaggia III The Bathing Cloak 12 × 17.8 cm · 4 34 × 7 inches

1928

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
44 The Fur Wrap
45 Helen Kay Robertson Drypoint; edition of 11
46 Gullo in a Cloak Edition of 4
47 Lady on a Sofa Etching and aquatint; edition of 2 10.1 × 15.1 cm · 4 × 6 inches
48 Poplars Drypoint: edition of 2
49 Dolomites Aquatint: edition of 1
50 Appenines Aquatint: edition of 2
51 Self Portrait Soft-ground etching

1932

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
52 Palma de Mallorca 2 states 21 × 31 cm · 8 14 × 12 14 inches
53 The Bay of Palma 2 states: 1st; edition of 9 25.1 × 30.2 cm · 9 78 × 11 78 inches
54 Palma – Early Evening 16.5 × 27.4 cm · 6 12 × 10 34 inches
55 The Mountains of Mallorca Edition of 36, in 4 states 21.9 × 30.1 cm · 8 58 × 11 78 inches
56 El Muchacho 3 states 26.5 × 15 cm · 10 38 × 5 78 inches
57 Spanish Women in an Omnibus 2 states 22 × 17 cm · 8 58 × 6 34 inches
58 Fiesta Mallorquina 2 states: edition of 9 in 1st 19 × 27.8 cm · 7 12 × 11 inches
59 A Bather about to Dive Edition of 24 33.2 × 20.6 cm · 13 18 × 8 18 inches
60 A Chinese Face (full face) 3 states; 1st: edition of 6 25 × 17.5 cm · 9 78 × 6 78 inches
60 60a Chinese 3 states 25.1 × 17.5 cm · 9 78 × 6 78 inches
61 Ducks 5 states 21.4 × 30.4 cm · 8 38 × 12 inches
62 Andalucia 15.2 × 21.5 cm · 6 × 8 12 inches
63 Trees at Noon 3 states 15.1 × 21.4 cm · 6 × 8 38 inches
64 Evening Birds 3 states 15 × 21.3 cm · 5 78 × 8 38 inches
65 Algiers 15.1 × 21.4 cm · 6 × 8 38 inches
66 The Hooded Lady 3 states 17.8 × 12.9 cm · 7 × 5 18 inches

1936

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
67 Morning on a Hillside 5 states; 1st: edition of 9; 2nd: edition of 7 23.8 × 25.1 cm · 9 38 × 9 78 inches
68 Lacrosse Players 6 states; 1st: edition of 4; 2nd: edition of 1; 3rd: edition of 2 34.5 × 25.2 cm · 13 58 × 9 78 inches
69 Carmencita 3 states; 1st: edition of 8; 2nd: edition of 18 3rd: edition of 22 27.6 × 25.1 cm · 10 78 × 9 78 inches
70 Racehorses or Horses at the Starting Post 2 states: 1st edition of 4 27.2 × 22.8 cm · 10 34 × 9 inches
71 Two Year Olds 1st state: edition of 6 24.5 × 22.6 cm · 9 58 × 8 78 inches
72 Horses turning into the Canter 2 states; 1st: 1 proof 25.1 × 17.5 cm · 9 78 × 6 78 inches
73 Horses after a Race 1st: edition of 9; 2nd: edition of 9; 3rd with aquatint 22 × 27.6 cm · 8 58 × 10 78 inches
74 Curly-Locks 1st state: edition of 2 25 × 17.5 cm · 9 78 × 6 78 inches

1937

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
75 A Somersetshire Vale
76 Elms in the Rain 17.7 × 25 cm · 7 × 9 78 inches
77 Moonrise drypoint 15.1 × 20.2 cm · 6 × 8 inches
78 A Great Elm 17.7 × 25.1 cm · 7 × 9 78 inches
79 Morning Mist Rising drypoint 20.1 × 15.1 cm · 7 78 × 6 inches
80 Apple Trees and a Rainbow 17.7 × 25.1 cm · 7 × 9 78 inches
81 A Young Walnut in the Rain 25 × 17.7 cm · 9 78 × 7 inches

1939

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
82 Polo 2 states 27.6 × 33.6 cm · 10 78 × 13 14 inches
83 Polo Players or Hurlingham 2 states 37.2 × 27.7 cm · 14 58 × 10 78 inches
84 Quartet or Concerted Music 2 states 23.8 × 29 cm · 9 38 × 11 38 inches
85 An Autumn Afternoon on Hampstead Heath 35.4 × 26.9 cm · 13 78 × 10 58 inches

1940

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
86 The Mountains towards Granada 27.1 × 32.6 cm · 10 58 × 12 78 inches
87 A Boy in a Field 22.5 × 17.5 cm · 8 78 × 6 78 inches
88 A Boy in the Garden 2 states 22.6 × 17.6 cm · 8 78 × 6 78 inches
89 Quartet (2nd version) 2 states 27.1 × 32.8 cm · 10 58 × 12 78 inches
90 Trio 27.8 × 31.5 cm · 11 × 12 38 inches
91 Eva 1st State of the following 32.9 × 27 cm · 13 × 10 58 inches
92 Eva against the Window 8 states 32.9 × 27 cm · 13 × 10 58 inches
93 Figures in the Wind 2 states 35.3 × 27.7 cm · 13 78 × 10 78 inches
94 Lamplight 17.6 × 22.7 cm · 6 78 × 8 78 inches
95 London Snow 35.3 × 27.7 cm · 13 78 × 10 78 inches
96 A Girl with Heavy Hair 22.7 × 17.7 cm · 8 78 × 7 inches

1943

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
97 Loch Morelich - after Rain 20.2 × 27.8 cm · 8 × 11 inches
98 Loch Morelich - Mists Rising 2 states 26.5 × 30.2 cm · 10 38 × 11 78 inches
99 Strewn Rocks - Aviemore 26.4 × 32.5 cm · 10 38 × 12 34 inches
100 The Burnt Forest 26.6 × 33 cm · 10 12 × 13 inches
101 The Cairngorms 30.3 × 45 cm · 11 78 × 17 34 inches
102 Cairngorms in the Rain 30.3 × 37.6 cm · 11 78 × 14 34 inches
103 Aviemore in Rain 2 states 30.2 × 37.8 cm · 11 78 × 14 78 inches

1944

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
104 Figures in Tumult 4 states 30.5 × 40.3 cm · 12 × 15 78 inches
105 A Figure in Anger 30 × 22.6 cm · 11 34 × 8 78 inches
106 An Old Man 27.8 × 17.7 cm · 11 × 7 inches
107 A Figure in Distress 2 states 27.6 × 17.6 cm · 10 78 × 6 78 inches
108 Young Men 32.8 × 25.2 cm · 12 78 × 9 78 inches
109 Dr Vere Pearson done for private circulation 34 × 23.8 cm · 13 38 × 9 38 inches

1946

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
110 French Songs 28.4 × 39.7 cm · 11 18 × 15 58 inches
111 Pontoon Welding 5 states 37.1 × 28.6 cm · 14 58 × 11 14 inches
112 Welding Jerricans 3 states 27.1 × 21.5 cm · 10 58 × 8 12 inches
113 A Bombed Area 40.2 × 24 cm · 15 78 × 9 12 inches
114 A Dancer Alert 30.4 × 15 cm · 12 × 5 78 inches
115 A Dancer Relaxed 31.6 × 17 cm · 12 12 × 6 34 inches
116 Torso 2 states 27.7 × 31 cm · 10 78 × 12 14 inches
117 Torso Walking 2 states 17.1 × 15.2 cm · 6 34 × 6 inches
118 Torso Lying 2 states 12.8 × 22.7 cm · 5 × 8 78 inches
119 Battestina in Italy 31.6 × 20.2 cm · 12 12 × 8 inches
120 People in the Tube 2 states 14.7 × 13.5 cm · 5 34 × 5 38 inches

1947

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
121 Burning Stubble 22.5 × 25.1 cm · 8 78 × 9 78 inches
122 Barley Stooks (Storm) 2 states 20.2 × 27.7 cm · 8 × 10 78 inches
123 Trees in Sunlight 25.2 × 22.5 cm · 9 78 × 8 78 inches
124 The Cotswolds 20 × 27.5 cm · 7 78 × 10 78 inches
125 Vale of Severn – Morning 2 states 27.7 × 20.2 cm · 10 78 × 8 inches
126 Vale of Severn – Midday 5 states 22.8 × 25.3 cm · 9 × 10 inches
127 Vale of Severn – Evening 4 states 22.5 × 30.3 cm · 8 78 × 11 78 inches
128 People in a Room 28.9 × 47.4 cm · 11 38 × 18 58 inches
129 Figures in Sunlight 23.4 × 29 cm · 9 14 × 11 38 inches
130 A Figure Walking 26 × 12.7 cm · 10 14 × 5 inches
131 Wind 4 states; 1st: edition of 4 30.7 × 21 cm · 12 18 × 8 14 inches
132 Man on the Grass 29.1 × 36.2 cm · 11 12 × 14 14 inches
133 Two People 3 states 40.9 × 22.8 cm · 16 18 × 9 inches
134 The Prodigal Son (another title for the above)
135 Figures in Ecstasy 2 states 31.2 × 27.6 cm · 12 14 × 10 78 inches
136 A Girl Sitting on the Floor 3 states; 1st edition of 5 37.6 × 27.8 cm · 14 34 × 11 inches

1948

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
137 Two Girls by a Stream 27.5 × 31.2 cm · 10 78 × 12 14 inches
138 Riders 35 × 21.3 cm · 13 34 × 8 38 inches
139 A Man pulling off his Coat 29.6 × 30.1 cm · 11 58 × 11 78 inches
140 A Surgeon 3 states 25.8 × 21.2 cm · 10 18 × 8 38 inches
141 In the Tube 2 states 27 × 27.5 cm · 10 58 × 10 78 inches
142 “Tu es Ivre” 34 × 21.9 cm · 13 38 × 8 58 inches
143 The Lake of Lugano - early morning 2 states 23.9 × 20 cm · 9 38 × 7 78 inches
144 The Lake of Lugano (second version) 5 states 22.6 × 19.9 cm · 8 78 × 7 78 inches
145 Food 28.9 × 35.3 cm · 11 38 × 13 78 inches

1949

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
146 Through the Olives 45.5 × 27.7 cm · 17 78 × 10 78 inches
147 The Pink Vase 41.4 × 27.5 cm · 16 14 × 10 78 inches
148 In my Studio 36.5 × 25 cm · 14 38 × 9 78 inches

1950

Cat. no. Title Edition info Size
149 Musicians 20 × 25.2 cm · 7 78 × 9 78 inches
150 Seated Figure 32 × 14.2 cm · 12 58 × 5 58 inches
151 Two Figures 2 states 23.8 × 16.1 cm · 9 38 × 6 38 inches
152 The Apple Tree 33.2 × 26.2 cm · 13 18 × 10 38 inches
153 Primroses 21.9 × 26.6 cm · 8 58 × 10 12 inches
154 Mountains 2 states 23.7 × 21.9 cm · 9 38 × 8 58 inches
155 Anselmoccio 22.7 × 20 cm · 8 78 × 7 78 inches