Bartlett, Charles (1860 – 1940), “Bridge in Summer Palace, Peking (Etching)”

Notes: Scarce design. Signed in graphite by the artist. "CWB" monogram in plate. Bartlett would often paint and sell his etchings at the local shipping port to visitors, with an option of black and white or colored versions. Since Bartlett was indifferent to the dating of his etchings, we cannot know for certain the order of their production, but clearly he became more bold and free with his work as the years passed. As stated by Miles, "The rare and rarely seen hand-colored etchings can now take their deserved place as Bartlett's collective masterwork". While Charles Bartlett made his home in Hawaii for the last 23 years of his life, and became one of Hawaii’s most prominent artists, the brief time he spent in China remained an enduring influence in his artwork. Bartlett first visited China in 1916, and made additional trips in 1919 and 1921. The latter trip was of particular importance, since his travel companions included Honolulu Academy of Arts founder Anna Rice Cooke, and her daughter Alice Spalding. Provenance: From a prominent Honolulu family passed down by descendant. Old label: Gima's Art Gallery, Waikiki HI.