The Glasgow International Exhibition on 1901 was the second of 4 exhibitions held in Scotland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It followed the lead of the first Glasgow exhibition, known as the International Exhibition of Science, Art and Industry which was held at Kelvingrove Park in 1888. These exhibitions were staged to help showcase Glasgow as a European and World centre of art, culture and industry.
This 1901 etching shows the River Kelvin in the foreground of the composition and in the distance we can see the towers and domes of the Eastern Palace or Industrial Hall. This building was the centrepiece of the exhibition. The structure was an oriental fantasy with a grand golden dome (lightly sketched in here) and topped with an angel holding an electric torch. The building was constructed using a foundation of prefabricated plaster panels on a sacking base, and half a million yards of cloth as backing. It was constructed in a Spanish Renaissance style to match the nearby Kelvingrove Art Gallery Building.
The building to the right in the foreground is the Grand Concert Hall. You can only see the twin towers on the facade and its large dome behind has been cut-off. It had enough seating for 3000 people.
Both these building were demolished with the close of the show. So this is a rare record of what they looked like seen from the hill at Kelvin Park.
My lovely etching is inscribed in the plate: Exhibition 1901 from the Hill and signed in the plate. It is also pencil signed on the lower right margin. It is sold framed but it might benefit from a new mount - but it is fine just to hang on your wall, as sold. The print has no condition issues. It is a rare work showing a scene of the 1901 Exhibition by this accomplished artist. This is reflected in my asking price. UK Postage will be just over £10 with Parcelforce24 Tracked delivery.
Dimensions: 51.5 x 35 cm. The image is 29 cm x 15.8 cm.
Susan Fletcher Crawford (1863 – 1918) was a Scottish artist and printmaker. She is best known for her topographical etchings of Glasgow. She taught etching at Glasgow School of Art between 1894 and 1917.
She attended the GSA between 1881 and 1888 and was associated with the members of the Glasgow Girls who studied under the influential Fra Newbury.
In 1893 she became a member of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists, and in 1894 was elected an Associate of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers. Her work is represented in many private and public collections including the Glasgow Museums, The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, the National Galleries of Scotland, the British Museum and the New York Public Library.