John Edward Costigan (American, 1888-1972) "Springtime" Signed Etching c.1930s A remarkably detailed etching with deep plate marks by listed American artist John Costigan. Published in the 1930s by the Associated American Artists in New York City. A young mother with her two children walk through a forest with sheep. Plate dimensions 12" x 9". The original frame measures 20.75" x 16.75". Pencil signed lower right. Titled lower left. Very good vintage condition. Lightly distressed period frame. Be sure to replace the original mat and backing with acid free archival materials. A native of Providence, Rhode Island, John Costigan was a skilled landscape and figure painter who disdained portraits because "the subjects want flattering pictures." He was orphaned and raised in New York by his aunt and uncle, the parents of songwriter, George M. Cohan. Mainly self-taught, Costigan studied briefly at the Art Students League and worked as a lithographer of theater posters. From that job he learned the printing processes that he later used in his many etchings. He began making his name in the fine arts in 1920, and throughout the decade, reaped numerous important prizes for his oils, watercolors and prints. In the late 1960s, he enjoyed a revival of interest in his fine arts talents when more than 50 pieces were borrowed from museums and private collections to be toured nationally in a Smithsonian-sponsored Costigan retrospective.