Artwork
New Moon and Evening Star
New Moon and Evening Star is an ink print by George Elbert Burr. It dates from 1932 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1932, *New Moon and Evening Star* is a monochrome print that combines etching, drypoint, and aquatint techniques. The composition depicts a nocturnal desert scene, centered on three elongated cacti that rise against a dark sky illuminated by a thin crescent moon and a solitary bright star near the horizon.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a moment of stillness in the western landscape, emphasizing the quiet interplay of light and shadow after dark. The title references the celestial bodies visible at that hour, suggesting a contemplative atmosphere where the desert’s rugged forms are softened by the gentle glow of night.
Technique & Style
Burr employed the line work of etching and drypoint to define the cacti’s contours, while aquatint provided a range of tonal washes that render the expansive sky and receding hills. The varied shading creates a sense of depth, making the foreground plants appear solid against the vast, muted background.
History & Provenance
American artist George Elbert Burr, noted for his prints of the American West’s deserts and mountains, produced this work during the later phase of his career. The piece reflects his continued interest in atmospheric landscapes, a theme that dominated much of his output in the early twentieth century.
Context
The print belongs to a period when printmakers explored the expressive possibilities of combined intaglio methods. By integrating etching, drypoint, and aquatint, Burr joined contemporaries in expanding the visual vocabulary of black‑and‑white landscape prints, emphasizing mood over precise topographical detail.
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Artist & collection
Artist
George Elbert Burr (April 14, 1859 – November 17, 1939 ) was an American printmaker and painter best known for his etchings and drypoints of the desert and mountain regions of the American West.
