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Windows, Bourges

Impression: Freer Gallery of Art
Freer Gallery of Art
(1903.166)
Number: 398
Date: 1888
Medium: etching
Size: 149 x 80 mm
Signed: butterfly at upper left
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: no
No. of States: 2
Known impressions: 3
Catalogues: K.400; M.399
Impressions taken from this plate  (3)
Windows, Bourges dates from 1888. James and Beatrice Whistler enjoyed an extended honeymoon in France from August/September 1888. They spent time in Bourges between approximately 23 and 30 September 1888. 1

Whistler wrote to his sister-in-law Helen Whistler on 22 September, just before going to Bourges:

1: J. Whistler to H. Whistler, [22 September 1888], GUW #06713.

'So here we are - "in the Garden of France" - pottering about this old town in straw hats and white shoes! - sitting down on benches or borrowing chairs that we may, at our ease, look at the lovely old doorways - and marvelous [sic] carvings -

In short, for the first time, really lazily having the, to me, unknown holiday! - I suppose we shall go on drifting - and following the warm weather further South - Mean while we are thinking of Bourges - have you ever been there? - I fancy it must be amazing - ' 2

2: J. Whistler to H.E. Whistler, [22 September 1888], GUW #06713.

Whistler also etched Hôtel Lallement, Bourges [396] and Windows opposite Hotel, Bourges [397] in Bourges. By November, they were back in Paris en route to London.