Compote

Beth Van Hoesen

"Compote" is another early example of Van Hoesen's use of short, patterned lines and dots to create the compositions of her etchings. A still life, a bowl composed of black, cross hatched lines that mimic aquatint, sits on a decorative table cloth. In stark contrast, inside the bowl are five apples, created from the black surround and a series of dots.

Beth Van Hoesen printed this image in two editions, a first edition of 25, printed by the artist and Jeryl Parker in 1961 (this impression) and a second edition of 35, done in 1970-73 and printed at Crown Point Press by Liz Trout and Gwen Gugell. There are an additional 5 artist's proofs.

Van Hoesen's catalogue raisonné (number 176) comments: "Artist's records note a second edition of 25; however, second edition impressions are numbered for an edition of 35.

This print (image) was exhibited in 'Beth Van Hoesen', Achenbach Foundation for the Graphic Arts, California Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco, November 4 - December 3, 1961; and in 'Beth Van Hoesen', University of Idaho, Moscow, and College of Idaho, Cambridge, 1973.>