UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Long Lagoon

Impression: Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago
(1938.1897)
Number: 215
Date: 1879/1880
Medium: etching and drypoint
Size: 154 x 228 mm
Signed: butterfly at lower left (2)
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: 'Second Venice Set', 1886
No. of States: 2
Known impressions: 40
Catalogues: K.203; M.200; W.169
Impressions taken from this plate  (40)

TECHNIQUE

Long Lagoon is an etching, and only the butterfly signature - added in the second state - is in drypoint.

PRINTING

Two impressions appear to be numbered, the '1st. Proof.' printed in black ink on laid paper - possibly Dutch - (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030z02) and 'No.4' printed in dark brown ink, on 'antique' (pre-1800) laid paper with the watermark of a posthorn on a shield over 'WR' (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030108). Other impressions of the first state that can definitely be dated to 1880 or 1881 were printed in black ink on ivory laid paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030107) and in dark brown ink on ivory laid paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030106). These impressions pre-date the 'Second Venice Set'.
Long Lagoon was published by Messrs Dowdeswell and Thibaudeau with the Twenty-six Etchings ( 'Second Venice Set') in 1886. One impression was printed for Dowdeswell's by Émile Frédéric Salmon (1840-1913) in black ink on light buff fine light-weight paper (now laid down on card) (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030109). However, Whistler then decided to print the edition himself. A record of impressions for the edition lists nine delivered on 22 July, sixteen on 29 September, and seventeen on 2 October 1886, a total of 42. 7

7: Whistler to W. Dowdeswell, GUW #08717.

Other first state impressions, most dating from the publication of the 'Second Venice Set' in 1886, were printed in black (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030102, Graphic with a link to impression #K2030z03) or brown (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030123) ink on 'antique' laid paper with 'WW' countermark. Several are printed in black ink, on ivory laid with 'RK' countermark (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030110) or with a Hunting horn and shield watermark (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030103); on light-weight cream laid with the watermark of a shield over 'W' (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030z04); and on ivory Asian laid (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030114). Several - of similar date - were printed in dark brown ink on ivory laid paper with Strasbourg Lily / 'LVG' watermark (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030104); cream (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030105) and buff laid paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030106, Graphic with a link to impression #K2030116).
The second state, signed with the butterfly, was printed immediately after these, in 1886 - possibly at the end of September, and certainly by 2 October 1886. They are on a variety of papers, mostly in slightly lighter coloured ink. One is in light brown ink on cream laid paper with 'Pro Patria' watermark (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030202); others on cream 'modern' laid (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030203); on Japan (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030205); light-weight ivory laid (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030206); ivory Asian laid (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030208); and in darker brown ink on ivory laid paper taken from a book, with binding holes at the top (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030204).
The copper plate was cancelled in January 1887. 8 Cancelled impressions are in black ink on ivory laid paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030301, Graphic with a link to impression #K2030303); and brown ink on ivory light-weight laid paper, possibly faux-Asian (Graphic with a link to impression #K2030302).

8: Whistler to Messrs Dowdeswell, 17 January 1887, GUW #13022.