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The Little Lagoon |  Hunterian Art Gallery (46798) | |
| Number: | 216 | |
| Date: | 1879/1880 | |
| Medium: | etching and drypoint | |
| Size: | 226 x 152 mm | |
| Signed: | butterfly at lower right | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | 'First Venice Set', 1880 | |
| No. of States: | 4 | |
| Known impressions: | 58 | |
| Catalogues: | K.186; M.183; W.152 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (58) | ||
STATE
Four states are known before cancellation.
State 1
Signed with a butterfly at lower right.
The left side of the largest gondola is more lightly etched than the stern with the gondolier; the series of slight right to left diagonals (///) along the top edge at right print strongly, as do bands of fine lines on the water near the poles and butterfly signature; faint patches of shading by the poles and to right of the butterfly may reflect the beginnings of an earlier subject; spots from drops of acid are scattered over the plate, including a distinct round spot above the buildings in the left background and two prominent spots to left of centre, near the top edge.
State 2
The largest acid spots, above the buildings in the left background and at top centre, are removed.
State 3
The cabin and bow of the largest gondola and its entire reflection are redrawn; the cabin now has distinct openings at the front and side; the gondola's reflection is much darker, extends under the bow and includes the reflection of the gondolier's legs beneath the stern.
During the course of printing, the top of the cabin became worn and grey near the front; fine diagonal lines along the top edge of the image became faint; horizontal lines on the water below the butterfly disappeared (see 
); and the faint patches of shading by the poles and to right of the butterfly signature are not visible.
); and the faint patches of shading by the poles and to right of the butterfly signature are not visible.State 4
The arch around the front window of the cabin on the largest gondola is strengthened with new lines; the shape of the gondolier's head and back are slightly altered, and his hat appears to have a brim in front.
State 4 (cancelled)
Cancelled with crossed diagonal lines.