Nude on Stairs

John French Sloan

The second of a series of nude studies done between 1930 and 33, "Nude on Stairs" was printed in the ninth state in three separate campaigns: Peter Platt printed 25, Charles White 25 and Ernest Roth 20 (which this impression is from) for a total of 70 impressions (100 estimated).

A number of printmakers from first half of the twentieth century would write the estimated edition, i.e. "100 proofs" but would print the edition in separate campaigns over a period of time, often not completing the anticipated final edition.

On page 387 of the Peter Morse catalogue raisonné of John Sloans prints, from 'Autobiographical Notes':

"The etching 'Nude on Stairs' of 1930 is the first important use of super-glazing with linework. There are sets of lines which define the form in light and shade, more which give it sculptural texture, and then there are top-texturing lines which attack the lights and give them greater realization than the eye can see."