Venus |  Freer Gallery of Art (1898.295) | |
| Number: | 60 | |
| Date: | 1859 | |
| Medium: | etching and drypoint | |
| Size: | 153 x 230 mm | |
| Signed: | 'Whistler.' at lower left | |
| Inscribed: | '1859.' at lower left | |
| Set/Publication: | no | |
| No. of States: | 2 | |
| Known impressions: | 27 | |
| Catalogues: | K.59; M.59; T.27; W.56 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (27) | ||
TECHNIQUE
This is an etching, with a very little drypoint added to shade the area at upper right in the second state.
PRINTING
Less than ten impressions of the first state have been located, but there are over twenty of the second state. This is a surprising number, given that the etching was not exhibited by Whistler. It seems possible that at least some of the impressions of the second state were printed in the 1890s or even after Whistler's death.
Impressions of the first state are on a variety of papers. Three are on wove paper (
, ,
). These were definitely printed in Whistler's lifetime. Other impressions are on ivory Japan () and dark ivory laid paper ().
, ,
). These were definitely printed in Whistler's lifetime. Other impressions are on ivory Japan () and dark ivory laid paper ().Most impressions of the second state are on japanese paper (,
, ) including one that was definitely printed in Whistler's lifetime, and is on an off-white laid Japan 'Kozo' paper (). Two are on a 'modern' (post-1800) laid paper (, ) with a slightly unclear watermark, possibly
'J COLES / 1811'
or 'J.COLES 1841') and it can be assumed that these were printed at the same time, but it is not possible to date these impressions.
,
, ) including one that was definitely printed in Whistler's lifetime, and is on an off-white laid Japan 'Kozo' paper (). Two are on a 'modern' (post-1800) laid paper (, ) with a slightly unclear watermark, possibly
'J COLES / 1811'
or 'J.COLES 1841') and it can be assumed that these were printed at the same time, but it is not possible to date these impressions.The copper plate was steel-faced and it is likely that it was printed after Whistler's death.