The Pool |  Freer Gallery of Art (1888.34) | |
| Number: | 49 | |
| Date: | 1859 | |
| Medium: | etching and drypoint | |
| Size: | 140 x 217 mm | |
| Signed: | 'Whistler.' at lower left | |
| Inscribed: | '1859.' at lower left | |
| Set/Publication: | 'Thames Set', 1871 | |
| No. of States: | 6 | |
| Known impressions: | 85 | |
| Catalogues: | K.43; M.42; T.47; W.41 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (85) | ||
TECHNIQUE
In the first proof, the figure and boat are etched and the outlines of the background are sketched in drypoint; in addition, there is a grey area of fine, granular tone or foul bite on the man's body, which has the qualities of open bite/lavis.
PRINTING
Over eighty impressions are known. There are single impressions of the first three states; the first state (
), and third () have been located, but the second has not. A large edition - two dozen - of the fourth state has been located, printed in black ink on a variety of papers: ivory chine collé (); Japanese (); laid, including one with the watermark of a shield and a crown topped by a crescent (); and wove paper ().
), and third () have been located, but the second has not. A large edition - two dozen - of the fourth state has been located, printed in black ink on a variety of papers: ivory chine collé (); Japanese (); laid, including one with the watermark of a shield and a crown topped by a crescent (); and wove paper ().There are at least 30 impressions of the sixth state in public collections. A number are printed in black ink on laid paper with the 'DEDB' or 'De Erven De Blauw' watermark (, , , ). Most in fact are printed in black ink, usually on laid paper, including sheets watermarked or with 'Pro Patria' (), an indecipherable name (), a crown and initials and (), and a crowned griffin (). Others are on Asian papers (, ), including cream Japan () and a translucent Japanese paper ().
, , , ). Most in fact are printed in black ink, usually on laid paper, including sheets watermarked or with 'Pro Patria' (), an indecipherable name (), a crown and initials and (), and a crowned griffin (). Others are on Asian papers (, ), including cream Japan () and a translucent Japanese paper ().About 1862, Whistler recorded either the number of impressions printed, or more likely the number of impressions of some etchings in stock: 'Limehouse 10.
/ Tunnel pier 2. /
Black Lion 8.
/Graveur - 2
/ Thames Police. 20 /
Tyzack 5.' 12
12: [May 1862/1864?], GUW #12745, p. 38.
Several sets of the cancelled plates of the 'Thames Set' were printed, again, in black ink, one on ivory wove paper ().
).