Sentinel Pine

George Elbert Burr’s prints of the rugged natural world are considered masterpieces of observation and texture. Etchings such as Sentinel Pine were described as “gems of purest workmanship” in the artist’s obituary published in the New York Times. In a single sheet Burr conveys tiny details, such as the lone pine’s bristly needles, as well as sweeping depth, perspective and atmosphere. This etching creates a portrait of an individual, weather-beaten tree and conveys the spirit of the American West.