Etchings Institutions search term: hunterian art gallery
The Band, Luxembourg Gardens |  Whistler Etchings Project (-) | |
| Number: | 466 | |
| Date: | 1893/1894 | |
| Medium: | etching | |
| Size: | 181 x 152 mm | |
| Signed: | no | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | no | |
| No. of States: | 1 | |
| Known impressions: | 1 | |
| Catalogues: | K.-; M.-; T.-; W.- | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (1) | ||
KEYWORD
city, landscape, musician, park, people, tree.
TITLE
Whistler's original title is not known. This is the only recorded title:
'The Band, Luxembourg Gardens' (1903/1935, possibly Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958)). 2
The title may have had the artist's approval because Miss Birnie Philip sorted his copper plates at Whistler's request in 1901. 3 However, it might have been recorded later, when the plates were sorted after Whistler's death in 1903, or when they were given to the University of Glasgow in 1935.
'The Band, Luxembourg Gardens' (1903/1935, possibly Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958)). 2
The title may have had the artist's approval because Miss Birnie Philip sorted his copper plates at Whistler's request in 1901. 3 However, it might have been recorded later, when the plates were sorted after Whistler's death in 1903, or when they were given to the University of Glasgow in 1935.
2: Envelope containing copper plate, Hunterian Art Gallery.
3: Whistler to R. B. Philip, 27 January [1901], GUW #04787.
DESCRIPTION
Across the centre is the band playing in an enclosure. In front, at left and right, are people on upright wooden chairs listening to the music. In the background are trees in full leaf.
SITE
The Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg) is a public park in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, France. It was not far from Whistler's house at 110 rue du Bac.
Whistler made several more etchings of the gardens, including Under the Statue, Luxembourg Gardens
[464] and Polichinelle, Jardin du Luxembourg
[467]. He also drew three lithographs there in November 1893, although, as he complained to T. R. Way, 'The three little Luxembourg gardens I could have done more with under better conditions -
' 4
He followed up with Nursemaids: 'Les Bonnes du Luxembourg' [c081] and The Terrace, Luxembourg [c087] in 1894. In addition he had made a slight pencil sketch on the back of a letter on 25 March 1892 (The Terrace, Luxembourg [m1332]), and two later drawings on lithographic paper that were not transferred to stone and printed, Seated woman in Luxembourg Gardens [m1401] and Statue in Luxembourg Gardens [m1400]. 5
He followed up with Nursemaids: 'Les Bonnes du Luxembourg' [c081] and The Terrace, Luxembourg [c087] in 1894. In addition he had made a slight pencil sketch on the back of a letter on 25 March 1892 (The Terrace, Luxembourg [m1332]), and two later drawings on lithographic paper that were not transferred to stone and printed, Seated woman in Luxembourg Gardens [m1401] and Statue in Luxembourg Gardens [m1400]. 5