Limehouse

A major twentieth century British aquatint engraver and etcher, Charles Henry Baskett (1872-1953) first studied art under his father, C. E. Baskett, a well known Essex painter and etcher. He then continued his studies at the Colchester School of Art and at the Lambeth School of Art before completing his studies under Frank Mura. Baskett's first published etchings and aquatints date from shortly after the turn of the century. Almost from the beginning of his career, he gained much higher recognition for his aquatints - and Limehouse is a good example. In particular, the tonal qualities of aquatinting were most perfectly expressed in Baskett's famous landscapes, marine scenes and river views. All Charles Henry Baskett's original etchings and aquatints were published in London by Lefevre Gallery. He was elected an Associate of the  Royal Engravers in 1911 and a full member in 1918. During his working career, his aquatints and etchings were frequently exhibited at both the Royal Academy in London and at the Royal Scottish Academy, and he is well represented at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Limehouse depicts many barges and boats on the River Thames in the industrial area of Limehouse in the East End of London. The belching tugboat that dominates the left foreground obviously contributed its share to London's smog pollution. The ancestry of  Limehouse can be found in the famously atmospheric Thamesside scenes of James McNeill Whistler, though these are etchings and Baskett made the aquatint his signature medium.

See: http://www.artoftheprint.com/artistpages/baskett_charles_h_anenglishlandscapeview.htm

Dr Mark Stocker    Curator, Historical International Art   February 2018