UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

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The Beach, Ostend

Impression: Hunterian Art Gallery
Hunterian Art Gallery
(46978)
Number: 353
Date: 1887
Medium: etching
Size: 82 x 185 mm
Signed: butterfly at left
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: no
No. of States: 1
Known impressions: 4
Catalogues: K.354; M.347
Impressions taken from this plate  (4)
The Beach, Ostend probably dates from 1887, but could date from the previous year. The butterfly signature is consistent with these dates. It is the same size as two other etchings, Fleur-de-lys Passage [360] and Wild West: Indians [293], and close to Petite Rue des Bouchers [342], all dating from 1887. Furthermore it is probably the etching sold as 'Beach' in November 1887. 1

1: Whistler to T. McLean, 17 November 1887, GUW #13016.

There is no record of a trip to Ostend in 1886 except for one newspaper, which stated that Whistler had been working in Ostend during the summer of 1886:
'Ostend has been the scene of Mr Whistler's summer tasks. He has etched and sketched the busy stir of life on the Digue and in the Kursaal. There are under a dozen etchings, besides the two nocturnes [Petite Bonne à la porte d'une auberge [y367]] in oil for the coming show in Suffolk-street. A limited number only of the plates will be issued from the Fulham studio press, for in this instance Mr. Whistler will be his own pressman.' 2

2: Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle, 29 October 1886.

Other Ostend views include Fish Women, Ostend [349], Market Place, Ostend [350], Fishing Quay, Ostend [351] and The Canal, Ostend [352].