Untitled (seven mallards landing, thirteen mallards in the water)

Artist / Maker Jay Norwood Darling (American, 1876 - 1962)

Date1942

MediumPhotoetching on paper

Dimensions8 7/8 x 11 13/16 in. (22.5 x 30 cm)

ClassificationsPrints and Printing Plates

Credit LineGift of the J. N. "Ding" Darling Foundation. In the permanent collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberUM82.147

Status

Not on view

Collections

Label TextOnly two impressions of this etching are known, and it probably was not printed in any significant number of copies because of the extenshive foul-biting. While the plate is not exactly ruined, it may have been disfigured enough in Darling's opinion so that he did not proceed further. Also, the lines in the grass areas are very wide, and don't hold the ink well. Nevertheless, the image is one of his richest prints in the terms of the drawing. It continues his interest in sucks as swimmers -- or are these decoys? -- and seems to illustrate his concern for the whole environment and waterfowl's place in it. The original drawings, with notes to the photoengraver exists (collection of Gordon Meany) but the plate is unknown. A Darling cartoon dated Novermber 7, 1948, repeated the image of swimming ducks seen here.

Locations