UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

A standing figure, possibly on stage may date from between 1876 and 1878. During this period Whistler had a strong interest in the theatre and etched portraits such as Irving as Philip of Spain, No. 2 [159].

The cancelled plate was probably among those sold at Whistler's bankruptcy, and was intended for publication in a set of Cancelled Etchings by the Fine Art Society in 1879, but in the end it was not included in the published set.

Nude woman reclining is difficult to date, partly because it is so thoroughly cancelled, and partly because of conflicting evidence. The date '1861' is inscribed twice on the copper plate. It is possible that the head, barely visible through the cancellation marks at upper left, dates from 1861.

It is clear that the plate was used twice, and may indeed have been developed further after 1861. The figure is unlikely to date from as early as 1861. Whistler re-used the copper plate to develop a composition showing a woman reclining on a sofa.

The composition may have been the inspiration for a new etching in the early 1870s, namely The Model Lying Down [110]. Both may be related in technique and subject to studies such as Draped Model [109], which dates from 1873/1874.

The cancelled plate was probably among those sold at Whistler's bankruptcy, and may have been considered for publication in a 'Cancelled Set' by the Fine Art Society in 1879, but in the end it was not included in the published set.