UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

The Tow-Path

Impression: Freer Gallery of Art
Freer Gallery of Art
(1891.12)
Number: 325
Date: 1887
Medium: etching
Size: 50 x 84 mm
Signed: butterfly at lower left
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: no
No. of States: 1
Known impressions: 2
Catalogues: K.254; M.250
Impressions taken from this plate  (2)

TECHNIQUE

This plate was executed in pure etching.

PRINTING

According to a list kept in 1887, Whistler printed two impressions of '[Tow] Path' on 19 August and five on 25 August 1887. 9 In 1889 he noted that he still had two impressions of 'Towing Path' in stock, but none were in his estate at his death, and it appears to be very rare. 10

One impression was printed in dark brown ink on ivory laid paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K2540102), the other in black on off-white laid (Graphic with a link to impression #K2550107). In addition Kennedy recorded one impression, but did not list any owner, and it has not been located. 11 All three were trimmed to the platemark and signed with a butterfly and 'imp.' to show that Whistler had printed them.

9: [26 September 1887], GUW #12716.

10: List, 18 July 1889, GUW #13235.

11: Kennedy 1910 (cat. no. 254).