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Carpet Menders, Paris

Impression: Hunterian Art Gallery
Hunterian Art Gallery
(46646)
Number: 480
Date: 1897/1898
Medium: etching and drypoint
Size: 201 x 251 mm
Signed: butterfly at left
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: no
No. of States: 1
Known impressions: 2
Catalogues: K.420; M.416; W.257
Impressions taken from this plate  (2)
Carpet Menders, Paris probably dates from 1897 or early 1898.
The butterfly is shaded, which is unusual; the background trefoil was often shaded between 1888 and 1895, but not the butterfly itself. It may be a sign of mourning for the death of Beatrice Whistler (1857-1896). A similar butterfly is seen on Mme Pelletier, Blanchisserie, Paris [481].

Furthermore, this etching was first sold and exhibited in 1898, suggesting a possible date of 1897 or early 1898. 1

1: Wunderlich's to Whistler, 1898 Sales Report, 24 March 1899, GUW #07305.

Mansfield thought it was among earlier Paris etchings: 'This etching and nearly all of the etchings further catalogued were done in Paris. Some of these Paris etchings were begun in 1892, and all were probably finished by 1895.' 2 It is true that Whistler was living in Paris from 1892-1893, but he was also working there frequently between 1896 and 1900 and the later date is more likely in this case.

2: Mansfield 1909 (cat. no. 416).