"Clock Tower", Bertha Jacques, (Amer., 1863-1941)

Etching, 1901, Ed. unknown, 6-3/8 x 4-1/16, on thin golden laid japan, significant skinning and thinning to paper verso, a rich, luminous impression, initialed and dated in plate, signed and titled in pencil. Excited by an exhibit of French etchings at the 1893 World Colombian Exposition in Chicago, Bertha Jacques took up etching before the turn of the 20th century, eventually producing over 400 prints; mostly focused on floral, landscape and city subjects. She was a founder and treasurer of the Chicago Society of Etchers and wrote substantially on the craft of etching, inspiring many others to take up printmaking through her life's work and example.