Man in an arbour: Portrait of E.G. Kennedy |  () | |
| Number: | 468 | |
| Date: | 1892 | |
| Medium: | etching (?) | |
| 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) | ||
TECHNIQUE
There is some doubt about whether this was a drypoint or etching. Beatrice Whistler mentions that the plate was 'bitten in', which suggests it was an etching, but the sitter, E. G. Kennedy referred to it as 'the great dry point'. It is just possible that there were two attempts at a portrait, one in etching and one in drypoint. 13
PRINTING
Whistler wrote to Kennedy 'I shall be delighted to do the portrait - Etching or Dry Point - ' 14 Kennedy posed in Paris at some time in the last week of June and left for London on 4 July 1892.
On 9 July 1892 Kennedy wrote that he would be back in Paris by 20 July and was 'hoping that at your convenience, I may get a look at the man in the garden' 15 Whistler replied: 'We shall further drink your best health and safe return! - that you may see the studio in its glory and take your place in the garden again - which you have inaugurated -' 16 On 12 August 1892 Beatrice Whistler wrote to Kennedy:
On 9 July 1892 Kennedy wrote that he would be back in Paris by 20 July and was 'hoping that at your convenience, I may get a look at the man in the garden' 15 Whistler replied: 'We shall further drink your best health and safe return! - that you may see the studio in its glory and take your place in the garden again - which you have inaugurated -' 16 On 12 August 1892 Beatrice Whistler wrote to Kennedy:
'Mr Carter is coming back again[,] he is very anxious to have an etching done - of himself - I think it is because he saw yours -
/ Yours is bitten in - and it looks extremely well on the plate - but it has not been printed yet - but as the press is up and the studio finished you may expect the first proof very soon -
/ ... PS. Jimmy says I mustn't be too enthusiastic about your portrait, because he is not by any means contented with it!!' 17
17: GUW #09829.
Kennedy returned to New York, and by October was showing some concern about his portrait:
'... you say nothing about the jardin portrait of me. Why so bashful about this great work? You say in a general way that you are having trouble with your etchings, but do not say anything about the great dry point! I should like to see a rough impression and hope you will gratify me in this.' 18
18: 26 October 1892, GUW #07203.
Three days later he wrote, 'As I said before, I should like to see a proof of that "Man in an arbour" ' 19 Finally on 12 November he wrote ironically, 'I notice that you preserve a masterly silence about my "phiz".
I have curiosity [sic] to see it and if you say so, will not show it to anyone.
' 20 However, there is no further reference to the portrait.