Mr. Benson's collection includes a pencil study for this plate, made in the Florida Keys in 1915. The drawing is of the same size and in reverse but differs from the drypoint in having fewer lines and much darker reflections in the water. A somewhat similar study of egrets seen against the dark foliage is sketched in pen and ink on the reverse side of the pencil drawing for The Gunner, reproduced with that etching under no. 52.
Ordeman, John T. "Frank W. Benson's etchings, drypoints and lithographs, an illustrated and descriptive catalogue." Hickok-Bockus, 1994, Summit, New Jersey.
Notes (object):
Published state. Reproduced. Thirty-five proofs, of which thirty-three are signed and numbered, on Shogun paper.
IIIF Manifest