Lot 143: David Brown Milne 1882 - 1953 Canadian colour

David Brown Milne 1882 - 1953 Canadian colour drypoint on Japan paper Lines of Earth (2nd State) 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches 12.1 x 17.1 centimeters signed and editioned /25 and on verso titled and inscribed ""Dry point - 3 plates - Not more than 25 printed, including 5 of this first color plan"" Literature:Rosemarie L. Tovell, Reflections in a Quiet Pool, The Prints of David Milne, National Gallery of Canada, 1980, pages 5 and 141, reproduced page 140 Provenance:Dr. Charles H. Best and Mrs. Margaret Mahon Best, Toronto By descent within the family of the above, Ontario Throughout his career, one of David Milne's most important patrons was James Alfred Clarke, a New York commercial artist. Clarke was financially successful in his artistic career and therefore able to support Milne with loans and purchases of his work. In 1926 Clarke purchased a press for Milne, opening the door for his work in drypoint. More important than Clarke's patronage was his friendship with Milne. Rosemarie Tovell writes, "The most important feature of the friendship was Milne's recognition of Clarke as a kindred spirit in matters of art." Milne frequently corresponded with Clarke about his work. In a letter dated July 14, 1930, Milne described to Clarke how the first state of Lines of Earth had an anthropomorphic quality, with the soft flesh-coloured contours of the earth suggesting "the thighs and belly of a woman". Tovell states, "Milne allowed the equation of nature and the female figure in only this one instance, and then swiftly veered away from it in the second state, when he used a green tint instead of a flesh-coloured tint," as seen in this fine impression.