Artwork
Waiting for the Marchioness
Waiting for the Marchioness is a print by the Impressionist artist Edward Craig. It dates from 1899 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Waiting for the Marchioness is a black-and-white print created by Edward Craig in 1899. It was originally produced as an illustration for the Westminster Budget.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a skeleton dressed in a soldier's uniform, holding a rifle and marching forward on a textured background. The title suggests that the skeleton may be a satirical representation, as the attire and context imply a more refined or aristocratic character.
Technique & Style
Craig employed simple shapes and bold contrasts to create the image, resulting in a striking visual effect. The stiff lines of the uniform and the blank face of the skeleton contribute to a sense of starkness and simplicity.
History & Provenance
The print was initially used as an illustration in Vol. III, No. 1 of the Westminster Budget. It was later discovered on the backing of another print by Craig, Penny Toy, which had been donated by James Laver.
Artist & collection
Artist
Artist Craig made 19th-century prints that freeze quiet moments in city life. The 1899 etching Waiting for the Marchioness shows a lone figure on a gas-lit pavement, coat collar turned against the damp. His prints feel…
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