Ernest Roth New York / Germany (1879 - 1964) An Arcaded Street, Venice, 1906 etching Pencil signed and dated lower right, titled lower left. Biography from Williams American Art Galleries: Ernest David Roth was born on 17 January 1879 in Stuttgart, Germany. A few years later, he and his family moved to America. Because it was necessary for him to work during the day, Roth enrolled in night classes at the National Academy of Design. He began studying etching under the renowned James D. Smillie who produced etchings and illustrations for many publications. Roth first exhibited in New York and Philadelphia. However, he was financially unsuccessful and did not receive the recognition he desired. As a result, he left for Europe where he concentrated exclusively on etching. While in Florence, he created a series of etchings that immortalized the spirit of Florence. The director of the Uffizi Gallery was so impressed by Roth's work that he purchased the etchings for the Uffizi print department. Upon Roth's return to the United States, he exhibited frequently throughout the country and won numerous awards, including First prize for Architectural Subject from the Chicago Society of Etchers and the J. Sanford Saltus Prize from the Salmagundi Club. Clearly, as one critic noted, "Mr. Roth's work has been welcomed in America as promising well for the future of the art." His work remains in countless collections across the country. Besides housing examples of Roth's work, Silvermine College of Art has his printing press from which he produced countless etchings. Ernest David Roth died in 1964. 13 1/2"H x 10"W (sheet)