UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Trafalgar Square

Impression:

()
Number: 249
Date: 1885
Medium: mezzotint
Size: unknown mm
Signed: unknown
Inscribed: unknown
Set/Publication: no
No. of States: 1
Known impressions: 0
Catalogues: K.-; M.-; T.-; W.-
Impressions taken from this plate  (0)
A mezzotint of Trafalgar Square probably dated from 1885.

Charles Dowdeswell (1856?-1921), writing in 1887, remembered it as being started in 1885; he recorded beside a sketch by Whistler:
'Plan of a proposed plate in Mezzo tint of Trafalgar Square from the window of a chemist in Cockspur Street or Trafalgar Square - Advertised as "one of London's most important Highways" - Plate was commenced in 85 but never finished up to this date / Prichards Ch[emist]'. 1

1: C. Dowdeswell, note, 30 September 1887, GUW #08720.

No such plate or mezzotint has survived. However there is further evidence for Whistler being involved in a mezzotint at that time, because in a letter written in 1885/1886 from Whistler thanked Frank Miles (1852-1894) for 'sending the Mezzo tint scraper'. 2

2: Whistler to F. Miles, [1885/1886?], GUW #08105.