1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️
This listing presents a signed and titled original etching by the celebrated American artist Joan Purcell (b. 1933). The charming piece, titled "La Tusche," depicts a baby from a tender and intimate perspective. As the work of a listed artist whose pieces are in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, this is a unique and collectible asset for those who appreciate fine American printmaking.
2. About the Artwork 📖✍️✨
This delightful etching offers a unique and intimate view of early childhood. The artist depicts a baby, seen from behind, sitting on the floor. Purcell’s masterful use of the etching medium is evident in the delicate, fine lines that describe the soft curls of the baby’s hair and the gentle contours of its form. The composition is simple and direct, focusing entirely on the child and creating a powerful sense of vulnerability and innocence. The title, "La Tusche," is a clever play on words, possibly referencing the baby's "tush" while also echoing the French term for an ink wash or "touch," a fitting tribute to the artistic medium.
3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️
Joan Purcell is a versatile and highly respected American artist. Known for her talent as a master etcher and lithographer, her work is prized for its lyrical quality and delicate, confident lines. Her art is held in major public collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Splitting her time between the Florida Keys and the coast of Maine, her sense of color and light is influenced by both the vibrant, tropical hues of the south and the cool, subtle tones of the north.
This piece is an objective reflection of her skill in capturing intimate, human moments with grace and sensitivity. Her presence in a collection as prestigious as the Smithsonian's provides a verifiable stamp of artistic quality and importance.
4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜
In the mid-to-late 20th century, many American women artists found a powerful voice in the medium of printmaking. While the world of large-scale painting could be difficult to access, the more intimate and technically focused realm of etching and lithography provided a space for innovation. Artists like Joan Purcell were part of a generation that pushed the boundaries of the medium, creating works that were both technically brilliant and emotionally resonant. This etching is an objective example of that tradition.
The depiction of babies and children is one of the most enduring themes in the history of art. From Renaissance cherubs to Impressionist family scenes, the child has always been a symbol of innocence, purity, and the future. In the 20th century, artists moved away from idealized or religious depictions and began to capture more personal, intimate, and psychologically insightful moments of childhood. Purcell’s work is a perfect example of this modern approach, presenting a quiet, unadorned, and deeply human portrait of a baby simply being.
5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️
This etching will appeal to a collector with a sophisticated appreciation for fine art printmaking and intimate, figurative work. The ideal buyer is likely:
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A Connoisseur of American Printmaking: Someone who collects works by listed American etchers and will recognize the quality and importance of Purcell's work.
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A Collector of Art by Women: This is a wonderful piece for a collection focused on the contributions of 20th-century American women artists.
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A Lover of Figurative Art: The simple, tender depiction of the baby has a universal and timeless appeal.
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A Seeker of Art with a Story: The fact that Purcell's work is in the Smithsonian adds a layer of historical significance and prestige to this piece, making it a more compelling acquisition.
6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️
This etching is a singular, original artwork, not a print or a reproduction, which makes it a verifiable piece in the marketplace. As a signed work by a listed artist with pieces in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, it holds significant value for its authenticity and historical importance. The piece is approximately 50 years old and has been well-preserved, with crisp lines and clean paper. Its existence as an original piece from an artist of this caliber ensures its status as a notable acquisition.
7. Condition 🔎📚✨
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The etching is in excellent vintage condition.
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The paper is clean, and the inked lines are crisp and clear.
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The piece is professionally matted and housed in a simple, elegant gold-toned frame that complements its classic style.
8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩
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Joan Purcell's work is in the Smithsonian American Art Museum and other public collections.
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The artist's time in the Florida Keys and coastal Maine provides a fascinating dichotomy of influences—one tropical and vibrant, the other cool and subtle.
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The title "La Tusche" is a clever pun, referencing both a baby's body part and a French artistic term.
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The piece exemplifies a key moment in 20th-century art, where women artists found a voice in printmaking and the subject of childhood was explored in more intimate, personal ways.
9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰
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Artist: Joan Purcell (b. 1933)
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Title: "La Tusche"
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Medium: Original Etching on Paper
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Year: Circa 1970s
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Dimensions: Approximately 11.5" H x 10.5" W (including frame)
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Style: American Realism, Figurative Art
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Origin: United States
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Transcription: The title is inscribed in the lower left-hand corner and the signature is in the lower right. The verbatim transcription reads: "La Tusche J. Purcell"
