UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Whistler with a hat

Impression: Hunterian Art Gallery
Hunterian Art Gallery
(46744)
Number: 44
Date: 1859
Medium: drypoint
Size: 229 x 154 mm
Signed: 'Whistler.' at lower right
Inscribed: '1859.' at lower right
Set/Publication: 'Cancelled Plates', 1879
No. of States: 3
Known impressions: 36
Catalogues: K.54; M.54; T.65; W.52
Impressions taken from this plate  (36)
Etching: PK054_01 (plate)
Recto, above; verso, below:
Etching: PK054_02 (plate)
The copper plate bears the maker's rectangular stamp: 'HUGHES AND KIMBER / MANUFACTURERS / RED LION PASSAGE / FLEET STREET / LONDON'. It is close in size to many other plates of this period including Black Lion Wharf [54], Thames Police [53], Fumette's Bent Head [58], Arthur Haden [66], and Z. Astruc, Editor of 'L'Artiste' [36]. It was cancelled by vigorous crossed diagonal and zigzag lines across the image on the top two thirds of the plate. It was among copper plates cancelled by the time of Whistler's bankruptcy.
In 1872 nine portraits by Whistler were exhibited in J.A. Rose's exhibition of engraved portraits at the opening of the Guildhall Library and Museum (cat. nos. 960-68) described as 'Nine portraits etched in copper - very rare - plates destroyed'. Candidates for these nine portraits include Auguste Delâtre, Printer [28], Whistler with a hat [44], C. L. Drouet, Sculptor [35], Finette [61], Z. Astruc, Editor of 'L'Artiste' [36], Arthur Haden [66], Mr Mann [73] and Axenfeld [68]. Other possibilities include Greenwich Pensioner [40], Bibi Valentin [34], Bibi Lalouette [33], Fumette standing [59], Riault (The Wood Engraver) [69].
The cancelled plate of Whistler with a hat was probably among those bought at Whistler's bankruptcy sale by the Fine Art Society, London. It was published in the set of Cancelled Plates by the F.A.S. in 1879.
The copper plate may have been among those acquired from Robert Dunthorne (b. ca 1851), by Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), in exchange for lithographs. 13 It was wrapped up, probably by Miss Birnie Philip or another studio assistant, and placed in an envelope, with a trimmed impression of the etching stuck on the front (Graphic with a link to impression #K0540308). The plate was given by her to the University of Glasgow in 1935.

13: Note by R. Birnie Philip, inserted in the album, Hunterian Art Gallery.