1928 Corner of State and Washington Streets Chicago
By: Raoul Varin
Date: 1928 (published) Chicago
Dimensions: 15.5 x 21 inches (39.5 x 53.5 cm)
A vibrant example of one of Raol Varin's iconic aquatint street scenes in the city of Chicago, this one presenting the corner of State Street and Washington Street looking north on State in the year 1865. This original engraved aquatint print is numbered 62/100 and signed R. Varin in pencil. The work was published by A. Ackermann & Son in June of 1928. Later examples were reprinted in greater abundance in 1933 for the Century of Progress World's Fair.
This special work brings one to the corner of a active street scene in old Chicago, some six years before the Great Chicago Fire that would forever transform the way the city was constructed. In this scene, we find a group of kids playing near a gravestone supplier and gathering around a high-society gentleman who is tipping a trained street performing monkey on a soap box with its trainer standing just behind.
The mud street is active with carriage traffic, both personal coaches and ones representing a form of mid-19th century public transportation. Signage of the surrounding buildings is clear and legible, identifying the Merchants Hotel, bathing rooms, a clothing and hardware stores, as well as a livery stable for horses. In the background, Varin offers a sight all too common for Chicagoan's, billowing grey clouds overtaking a bright blue sky.
Condition: This fine lithograph print is in A condition with exceptionally bright color on clean paper with full margins on all sides. The piece is currently framed and can be sold / shipped as such for an added shipping cost or removed from the frame and shipped alone at our standard low rate.
Inventory #12312
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