Eileen Alice Soper Appraisal

'The Swing' Drypoint Etching by Eileen Alice Soper

This is an original drypoint etching on cream-toned paper by the renowned British artist Eileen Alice Soper (1905–1990), titled 'The Swing'. The piece depicts two children high in the air on a large boat-style swing, viewed from below by a group of four onlookers, including an adult holding a small child. The artwork displays Soper's characteristic fluid, expressive line work and masterful use of plate tone to create depth and movement. It is hand-signed by the artist in pencil in the lower right margin below the plate mark. The print features a prominent plate mark, indicating it was pulled from a copper plate. In terms of condition, there is visible foxing (brown age spots) scattered across the paper, particularly in the lower right and central areas, along with a slight overall yellowing of the paper consistent with age. There is also a small dark smudge or mark in the bottom right corner of the plate area. The style is quintessentially 1920s British printmaking, reflecting the innocent, observational charm Soper is famous for. The fine cross-hatching and varying line weights suggest a high level of technical skill in the drypoint medium.