Torch Fishermen (a.k.a., "Fishing by Torchlight")

Charles William Bartlett

Each impression of this rare etching varies, since the color is hand applied by the artist. This image is crisp and the torch-light is yellow and clear.

Bartlett did a series of eleven etchings in Hawai'i between 1923 and 1927, ten of which were hand colored and four of which depicted fishing scenes. The total edition sizes are not definitely known and are estimated to be 75 or fewer. Because of the hand coloring Bartlett was able to change each impression to reflect different times of day or night, weather etc. For this reason they might be called "monoprints".

Richard Miles commented on Bartlett's etching on page 92 of his raisonne on Bartlett's prints: "He (Bartlett) used copper plates in a way unique to his temperament, as mental key blocks. The colors he used with such skill to bring his prints to life were his true expression. Everything of primary importance could be said with red, blue, and yellow, the primary colors."