Lone Mummer Inside | Etching 24 of 50 | 1979

About the Artwork

Lone Mummer Inside (1979) is a powerful etching and aquatint by David Blackwood (1941–2022), one of Canada’s most celebrated printmakers. The image portrays a solitary figure wrapped in layers of winter clothing, face half-hidden beneath a lace veil, illuminated by the cool light of a Newfoundland night. Through Blackwood’s remarkable technical control of line, tone, and texture, the mummer becomes both a portrait and a symbol — at once human and ghostlike, intimate yet distant.

The composition is striking in its restraint. The mummer stands motionless against an interior wall, gloved hands folded, while moonlight glows through a frost-edged window behind. Deep blue and grey tones evoke the stillness of winter, while fine aquatint textures reveal every weave of fabric and the shimmer of lace. The result is a haunting balance of realism and reverie — a meditation on identity, isolation, and the thin line between the familiar and the uncanny.

Historical and Cultural Context

Mummering, or “jannying,” is a centuries-old Newfoundland Christmas tradition. During the twelve days of Christmas, neighbours would disguise themselves with veils, shawls, and old clothes, moving from house to house to dance, play music, and share laughter. Part guessing game and part masquerade, it blurred the boundaries between celebration and superstition. Though banned in the 1860s after a series of violent incidents, the custom quietly persisted in small outport communities like Wesleyville, where Blackwood grew up.

As described in William Gough’s David Blackwood: Master Printmaker, these experiences left a deep impression on the artist. In Lone Mummer Inside, the revelry is over — the figure stands alone, unmasked yet veiled, between the warmth of the home and the cold world outside. The print captures both the enchantment and unease of mummering, a tradition that embodies Newfoundland’s enduring mix of joy, mystery, and resilience.

Revival and Modern Significance

In recent decades, mummering has been reimagined through events such as the annual Mummers Parade in St. John’s, which celebrates the artistry and humour of the practice while preserving its spirit of community and play. Blackwood’s work stands as an enduring visual record of this folklore — a reminder of how art can preserve living memory.

Dimensions and Details

• Size: 27.75" x 21.75"
• Medium: Colour etching and aquatint on paper
• Edition: From the 1979 printing
• Display: Presented in its original period frame, professionally matted and ready to hang

How to Purchase

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