Etchings Institutions search term: fitzwilliam museum
Long Lagoon | ||
| 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 -  (
) 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' (
). Other impressions of the first state that can definitely be dated to 1880 or 1881 were printed in black ink on ivory laid paper (
)  and in dark brown ink on ivory laid paper (
). These impressions pre-date the 'Second Venice Set'.
) 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' (
). Other impressions of the first state that can definitely be dated to 1880 or 1881 were printed in black ink on ivory laid paper (
)  and in dark brown ink on ivory laid paper (
). 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) (
). 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 
                        
). 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 (
, 
) or brown (
) ink on   'antique' laid paper with 'WW' countermark. Several are printed in black ink, on ivory laid with 'RK' countermark (
) or with a Hunting horn and shield watermark (
);  on light-weight cream laid with the watermark of a shield over 'W' (
); and on ivory Asian laid (
). Several - of similar date - were printed in dark brown ink on ivory laid paper with Strasbourg Lily / 'LVG' watermark (
);  cream  (
) and buff laid paper (
, 
).
, 
) or brown (
) ink on   'antique' laid paper with 'WW' countermark. Several are printed in black ink, on ivory laid with 'RK' countermark (
) or with a Hunting horn and shield watermark (
);  on light-weight cream laid with the watermark of a shield over 'W' (
); and on ivory Asian laid (
). Several - of similar date - were printed in dark brown ink on ivory laid paper with Strasbourg Lily / 'LVG' watermark (
);  cream  (
) and buff laid paper (
, 
).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 (
);  others on cream 'modern' laid  (
);  on Japan  (
); light-weight ivory laid  (
); ivory Asian laid  (
); and in darker brown ink on ivory laid paper taken from a book, with binding holes at the top  (
).
);  others on cream 'modern' laid  (
);  on Japan  (
); light-weight ivory laid  (
); ivory Asian laid  (
); and in darker brown ink on ivory laid paper taken from a book, with binding holes at the top  (
).The copper plate was cancelled in January 1887. 8 Cancelled impressions are in black ink on ivory laid paper  (
, 
); and brown ink on ivory light-weight  laid paper, possibly faux-Asian  (
).
, 
); and brown ink on ivory light-weight  laid paper, possibly faux-Asian  (
).8: Whistler to Messrs Dowdeswell, 17 January 1887, GUW #13022.
