UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Etchings         Institutions search term: copley society

Melon Shop, Houndsditch

Impression: Hunterian Art Gallery
Hunterian Art Gallery
(46630)
Number: 355
Date: 1887
Medium: etching and drypoint
Size: 128 x 178 mm
Signed: butterfly at left
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: no
No. of States: 5
Known impressions: 10
Catalogues: K.293; M.288
Impressions taken from this plate  (10)

TECHNIQUE

The etched plate for Melon Shop, Houndsditch was reworked with both fine drypoint and etched shading and crosshatching to create an atmospheric interior and subtly modelled figures - and fruit!

PRINTING

Impressions of the first state were printed in dark brown ink on cream laid paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K2930102) and in black ink on ivory laid paper, possibly with a partial Pro Patria watermark (Graphic with a link to impression #K2930103). They were followed by impressions printed in brown ink on cream light-weight 'antique' paper with a partial crowned shield watermark (Graphic with a link to impression #K2930205) and in black on cream Asian laid (Graphic with a link to impression #K2930202). The final state was also printed in black ink on ivory laid paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K2930302).
On 18 July 1889 Whistler recorded that he had two 'Proofs in Stock'. 11 He must have printed more thereafter because there were four in the studio at his death, which were bequeathed to his sister-in-law Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958). An impression of the fourth state (Graphic with a link to impression #K2930203) was given by Miss Philip to the Hunterian, and impressions of the first (Graphic with a link to impression #K2930102) and second (Graphic with a link to impression #K2930104) states were later bequeathed to the University.

11: List, GUW #13235.