Eileen A. Soper Signed Etching of Children in a Classroom

This item is an original drypoint etching by the renowned British artist and illustrator Eileen A. Soper (1905–1990). The artwork depicts a group of approximately seven children seated at a long wooden table in what appears to be a schoolroom or nursery setting. The piece is executed in a delicate, sketch-like style characteristic of Soper's early 20th-century work, utilizing fine, expressive line work to capture the focused postures and innocent expressions of the young subjects. The composition is horizontally oriented, focused on the central table and bench where the children are engaged in writing or drawing. Notable elements include the varying hairstyles of the children, from bobbed cuts to soft curls, and the detailed rendering of their period-specific clothing. The etching is hand-signed in pencil in the lower right margin as 'Eileen A. Soper'. The print is on a cream-colored or off-white wove paper, showing visible plate marks where the metal plate was pressed into the paper during the printing process. Condition-wise, the paper displays minor age-related toning and light foxing consistent with an early-to-mid 20th-century piece. There is a slight visible horizontal crease or scratch on the right side of the image area. Soper was the youngest person to exhibit at the Royal Academy at age 15, and this piece demonstrates the sophisticated draftsmanship and empathetic portrayal of childhood that made her famous. The craftsmanship is high, showing expert control of line weight to create depth and shadow without heavy cross-hatching.