The Butcher

Catalogue entry

P07638 The Butcher 1981

Etching 25 3/8 × 19 1/4 (645 × 490) on paper 38 7/8 × 27 1/2 (990 × 696), printed by the artist (proof before the edition)
Inscribed ‘Sandro Chia 1981’ b.r. and ‘prova d'artista’
Purchased from Anthony d'Offay Gallery (Grant-in-Aid) 1982
Repr: An exhibition and Sale. Sandro Chia Prints 1973–1984, exhibition catalogue, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, September–October 1984, p.41 (editioned example)

Like P07637 this is a trial proof, printed in sepia by the artist in his studio outside Rome. An edition of 40 with 10 artist's proofs and one ‘bon à tirer’ was published in 1982 by Emilio Mazzoli, Modena. The edition was printed in black by Studio Santa Reparata, Florence combining etching, brushed solvent and scraped aquatint. According to Chia, P07637 was made at the same time as two paintings ‘Brother’ 1981 (private collection, London) and ‘Son of Son’ (both repr. Sandro Chia, exhibition catalogue, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, April–May 1983, n.p.). He stated that ‘They are all in the same family’ (written answers). The final state of ‘The Butcher’ differs from P07638 in the detailing on the man's sleeves and by the inclusion of a shaded area along the jaw line. The background in the final state is also considerably more worked. P07658 has also been known as ‘Man with Apron’. Like many of Chia's works this print is loosely autobiographical and refers to his association of the artist with the artisan.

This entry has been approved by the artist.

Published in:
The Tate Gallery 1982-84: Illustrated Catalogue of Acquisitions, London 1986

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