Description JAMES ABBOTT MCNEILL WHISTLER (American 1834-1903) A RARE PRINT, "The Title to the French Set," ONLY STATE, PARIS, NOVEMBER 1859, black ink etching on off-white wove (chine collé) paper signed in plate, Delatre, printer and date, dedicated in foreground, framed with translation of words. Plate: 4 3/8" x 5 5/8" Note: Only one state of the offered etching exists. Printed in a set of only twenty by Delatre in Paris, the etching was used as the title page of a portfolio of Whistler etchings. "Whistler here depicts himself outdoors working on a copper plate surrounded by fascinated children. The image responds to a Rhineland tour he made in the summer and fall of 1858 and was used to introduce "Douze eau-fortes d'après Nature" (Twelve Etchings from Nature), the artist's first published set. The title indicates his realist affinities with lettering added to credit Auguste Delatre as printer and dedicating the work to Seymour Haden. As Whistler’s brother-in-law, the latter had encouraged his first serious etchings." Courtesy: The Met Museum, accession number 83.1.34.Reference:?Margaret F. MacDonald, Grischka Petri, Joanna Meacock James McNeill Whistler: The Etchings, a catalogue raisonné, University of Glasgow online website at http://etchings.arts.gla.ac.uk. University of Glasgow, 2012, cat. no. 22.
Condition Report Some mild expected tone throughout, framed with a translation of the text below, well presented and in good to very good condition, wear commensurate with age. Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS." NO REFUNDS will be issued based on condition.