Bernhardt Wall (illus.)
The War Message, 1918
18 1/8 x 12 1/4 in.
46 x 31 cm.
46 x 31 cm.
Signed and titled by the artist.
2305
Etching on paper, showing Woodrow Wilson at a dais, announcing the formation of the League of Nations. Wall held Wilson in especial esteem. His more well-known, and more commonly found,...
Etching on paper, showing Woodrow Wilson at a dais, announcing the formation of the League of Nations. Wall held Wilson in especial esteem. His more well-known, and more commonly found, etched portrait of the president showed him in military uniform, a depiction to which Wilson strongly objected on the grounds that the military is subservient to the civil. The present presentation is much more in character for a president more diplomatic than bellicose. Prints appeared in Wall's World War Etchings (not to be confused with his Smaller World War Etchings, of a larger edition), of which their were six copies made. Holdings at Princeton record both the portfolio and the print as separate entities, and it is entirely reasonable that the print run of the etching exceeded that required for the edition. Hence extremely scarce; the Princeton holding is the only recorded in OCLC. Remainder of archive tape to verso, else near fine. (18 1/8 by 12 1/4 in.)


