Wednesday, 1 July 2026

James Squire Morgan, “The Lakeside”, 1923

James Squire Morgan (1886–1974) —an Australian artist born in Sydney, who studied under Sydney Long (1871–1955)

“The Lakeside”, 1923 —a period when Morgan concentrated heavily on the hinterland of regional New South Wales lagoons and northern beaches (including Dee Why)

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with plate tone delicately wiped to draw the ink from the lines to add richness—a technique known as retroussage. It is printed in dark brown ink on fine buff-coloured laid paper. The hand-signed by the artist in pencil in the lower right margin and hand-numbered “38/80” in pencil at the lower left. 

Note: While this specific impression is clearly numbered from an intended edition of 80, the National Gallery of Australia’s database records an alternate intended edition size of 50; see https://www.printsandprintmaking.gov.au/works/13246/.

The impression is richly inked and near faultless. The impression is in excellent condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, or handling marks.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 38.3 x 27.5 cm
• Platemark: 22.5 x 17.5 cm

References:

• National Gallery of Australia (NGA): The print database holds an exhaustive archive documenting eighty-nine of Morgan’s prints accessible via the NGA Artist Index—https://www.printsandprintmaking.gov.au/artists/11497/works/  
• Roger Butler, “Printed Images in Australia: Century of Printmaking 1801-1901”, National Gallery of Australia Archives (for institutional context on the artist's print portfolio)
• The Australian Painter-Etchers' Society, Annual Exhibition Catalogues (1920s–1930s), wherein Morgan regularly exhibited comparable native tree and lakeside studies
• Art Gallery of New South Wales, “Australian Etchings & Engravings 1880s–1930s”, Sydney, Curatorial Records (referencing the stylistic lineage of Sydney Long's students)

Price & Shipping:

AU$588 (approximately US$405.13 / €355.46 / £306.17), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this poetically atmospheric etching—where one can truly sense the stillness of the shoreline and the crispness of the open air—please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. Secure payment is handled via PayPal invoice for a smooth, protected transaction.