Note:

“Molly Glover on Bragg’s Island” is a unique print when compared with many of David Blackwood’s etchings; although the land is still represented as dark and windy, with minimal light peering through the clouded sky, the work is set in the spring or summer, seasons rarely portrayed by the artist. By placing Molly Glover in a gentler environment, Blackwood allows the importance of his relationship with his mother to resonate through the etching.

In a 1997 letter, David Blackwood provides further information regarding the print:

“The young woman in the print is my mother. The house in the background belonged to my grandparents, her childhood home.

Off in the distance, two houses, belonging to Aunt Jane Glover and Aunt Mag Feetham. The twin spires of the church on nearby Deer Island rise above the crest of the highest point of the island. Off to the extreme right, on the horizon, Gooseberry Island.

My maternal grandfather (Granddad Glover) was a cod trap fisherman all his life despite the fact that he was the only merchant in the community.

The original drawing was inspired by William Gough’s novel “Maud’s House”. It was adapted for a planned dance film which would star Veronica Tennant. I was not interested in the idea of illustrating the film image of Tennant as Maud for the film. Approached to design the set for the film, I decided to use the Bragg’s Island setting which would include the house where my mother was born. In the print my mother as a young woman has replaced Veronica Tennant dancing in the role of Maud.”