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Clive Wallis (Australian, 1909–1983).

[Folio Of Erotic Etchings]

c1930s–1940/1989. Thirteen (13) etchings housed in blue half-cloth folio, two initialled and dated “1939” in plate lower left or right, each editioned 14/50 and titled in pencil with Wallis’ stamped signature in lower margin, 4.7 x 13.5cm to 21.3 x 32.3cm. Slight fading and foxing to folio cover.

Titles of etchings read (1) Bordello Girls, (2) [Contentment], (3) Violation, (4) Prostitution, (5) Drama, (6) [Vanity], (7) [Standing Nude], (8) [Rape], (9) [Grooming], (10) Meat Market, (11) [The Kiss], (12) Marriage, (13) Death and the Desert. Etchings published and editioned by Josef Lebovic Gallery in 1989. Provenance: Clive Wallis estate in 1988, etching plates only.

Clive Wallis was by all accounts a private man. He studied at Julian Ashton’s Sydney Art School where he was most likely taught etching by Sydney Long. Some of his bookplate designs were published, yet he was not known to have exhibited any work. His erotic art seems to have been a private project, as these etching plates were discovered after his death in the eaves of a large 19th century house in Hunters Hill where he lived with his brother. Ref: JLG.

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Item #CL198-104

Price (AUD): $5,500.00  other currencies