Etchings Institutions search term: south kensington museum
La Marchande de Moutarde |  National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC (1943.3.8410) | |
| Number: | 20 | |
| Date: | 1858 | |
| Medium: | etching | |
| Size: | 157 x 90 mm | |
| Signed: | 'Whistler' at lower left | |
| Inscribed: | 'Imp. Delatre. Rue St. Jacques. 171.' (2-3); crossed out (4); removed (5) | |
| Set/Publication: | 'French Set', 1858 | |
| No. of States: | 5 | |
| Known impressions: | 75 | |
| Catalogues: | K.22; M.22; T.11; W.16 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (75) | ||
TECHNIQUE
Ralph Thomas, Jr (1840-1876) was among the many admirers of this etching: 'As a piece of work of this period in the artist's styles, this, not only as to etching but the biting in, is one of the most perfect specimens.' 10
10: Thomas 1874 (cat. no. 11).
PRINTING HISTORY
Over seventy impressions of this etching have been located in public collections. The unique first state is in the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC (
). There are comparatively few impressions of the second state (i.e. , ) but more of the third state (i.e. , ).
). There are comparatively few impressions of the second state (i.e. , ) but more of the third state (i.e. , ). It was published in the 'French Set' in the second and third states. The second state would mostly have been printed in France by Auguste Delâtre (1822-1907), and the third certainly printed in London. Typical impressions of the second state were printed in black ink on cream or ivory Asian paper (chine appliqué, i.e. ). However others were printed on laid papers, some with watermarks () such as Wizernes ().
). However others were printed on laid papers, some with watermarks () such as Wizernes ().Third states were divided between those printed on Asian papers, such as chine appliqué (), and western laid papers, some with watermarks, including a crown (), and Britannia (). One unusual impression is on a grey/greenish fibrous wove paper ().
), and western laid papers, some with watermarks, including a crown (), and Britannia (). One unusual impression is on a grey/greenish fibrous wove paper ().These were followed by a few proofs of a fourth state with Delâtre's name crossed out (i.e. ). One fourth state is on ivory laid paper with a partial watermark ('A', ).
). One fourth state is on ivory laid paper with a partial watermark ('A', ). Over twenty impressions of the final, fifth, state as published in English Etching, have been identified in public collections (see , and ). More of these are to be found in private and public collections. This final state was printed by Frederick Goulding (1842-1909), in black ink, mostly on ivory or cream laid paper including 'WHATMAN 1814' () and 'J. H. & ZOON' () watermarked paper.
, and ). More of these are to be found in private and public collections. This final state was printed by Frederick Goulding (1842-1909), in black ink, mostly on ivory or cream laid paper including 'WHATMAN 1814' () and 'J. H. & ZOON' () watermarked paper.