Artwork

Bookplate: William Truman Aldrich and Dorthea Davenport Aldrich, Ex Libris inscribed

Frederick Garrison Hall , 1912

Bookplate: William Truman Aldrich and Dorthea Davenport Aldrich, Ex Libris inscribed is a print by Frederick Garrison Hall. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Bookplate: William Truman Aldrich and Dorthea Davenport Aldrich, Ex Libris inscribed is a print created around 1912 by American artist Frederick Garrison Hall. It is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The bookplate depicts a bustling city street scene with a stone wall in the foreground bearing the names of the book's owners, William Truman Aldrich and Dorothea Davenport Aldrich, contextualizing the artwork's purpose as a personal book marker.

Technique & Style

Hall's use of detailed renderings of buildings, clothing, and atmospheric elements like a cloudy sky suggests a meticulous approach, potentially incorporating chiaroscuro principles to achieve depth and contrast in the print.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1912 for the Aldrich couple, the bookplate's history is tied to their personal library. It is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

The old-fashioned clothing and architectural details place the scene in an earlier time period, reflecting the urban landscape and social attire of the late 19th or early 20th century.