This is a very rare antique etching showing ruinous dwellings located off the Cowgate. I think that it dates to the end of the 19th century or the very early 20th Century.
It is beautifully rendered and shows in great detail the architecture of a more neglected area of the Cowgate in Edinburgh. Sadly, the artist has not signed this work and I have been unable to find another extant impression of this artwork.
This fine etching and drypoint is full of detail - even down to the clothes hanging on a washing line between two buildings. The location is at the top of a steep hill or old wynd - and you can see two men at the top - and a lady in her long skirt and shawl disappearing around the corner at the foot of the slope. She wears a long simple skirt and has a headscarf tied around her head - which suggests to me the date to the late 19th century.
It is certainly a rare viewpoint - and not so many images survive of this area at this time. I am anchoring my suggestion on the location in that to the left - we can see the spire of St Patrick's Church in the Cowgate. The height of the location is suggested by the distant view of Leith, the Forth and Fife added in the top left-hand corner of the composition.
The area depicted in this etching has long been demolished - and I think that it might be a view of High School Yard or the Pleasance area near St Patrick's. The Cowgate, The Pleasance and St Leonards areas were all rather neglected by this time and it had a reputation for having ruinous houses rented out by slum landlords. This is an interesting image of that part of the town before a large-scale programme of demolition took place. I love these old Turnpike Staircases on Old Edinburgh Tenements.
Dimensions: Frame is 33.5 x 44 cm. The image size is 21 x 29.5 cm
This artwork has a new, clean acid-free mount and a thick plain black wood frame. It is ready for you to just hang on your wall. It is a rare image of Old Edinburgh in the bygone days - and as such is a rare survivor and fairly priced. You will not find another!
It will be posted to you in the UK with Parcelforce24. This will cost £10 and applied to your order at the checkout.