Etchings Institutions search term: metropolitan museum
Children, Portsmouth |  Art Institute of Chicago (1937.173) | |
| Number: | 301 | |
| Date: | 1887 | |
| Medium: | etching | |
| Size: | 67 x 99 mm | |
| Signed: | butterfly at lower right | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | no | |
| No. of States: | 1 | |
| Known impressions: | 6 | |
| Catalogues: | K.323; M.311 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (6) | ||
PUBLICATION
Although not published officially, Portsmouth, Children is related to the 'Jubilee Set'.
EXHIBITIONS
It was seen first in print dealers' shows, at H. Wunderlich & Co. in New York in 1898 and 1903 and at Obach & Co. in London in 1903. 9
It was shown after Whistler's death in the comprehensive Grolier Club exhibition in New York in 1904, and at the Memorial Exhibitions in Paris and, lent by John Charles Sigismund Day (1826-1908), in London, in 1905. 10
It was shown after Whistler's death in the comprehensive Grolier Club exhibition in New York in 1904, and at the Memorial Exhibitions in Paris and, lent by John Charles Sigismund Day (1826-1908), in London, in 1905. 10
9: New York 1898 (cat. no. 228); see REFERENCES: EXHIBITIONS.
10: New York 1904a (cat. no. 259); London Mem. 1905 (cat. no. 275).
SALES & COLLECTORS
The first sale of 'Portsmouth, Children' recorded by Whistler was to the London print dealer, Thomas M. McLean (b. ca 1832), on 20 August 1887 for £7.7.0. Another was offered to William Craibe Angus (1830-1899) in Glasgow on 16 December 1887. 11
H. Wunderlich & Co. of New York forwarded one impression to Ross Revillon Winans (1850-1912) at a price of £7.7.0 in 1888; they also recorded a sale at only £5.5.0. 12
H. Wunderlich & Co. of New York forwarded one impression to Ross Revillon Winans (1850-1912) at a price of £7.7.0 in 1888; they also recorded a sale at only £5.5.0. 12
Although it was rare - or perhaps because it was rare - the few surviving impressions were given or bequeathed to major public collections. Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919) bought an impression from Obach & Co. in London in 1902 (
) which went with his bequest to the Freer Gallery of Art. A single impression remained in Whistler's estate and was bequeathed to Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958) in 1903, and by her to the University of Glasgow (). One owned by Bernard Buchanan MacGeorge (1845?-1924) was sold through H. Wunderlich & Co. and apparently owned by Edward Guthrie Kennedy (1849-1932) and by Henry Harper Benedict (1844-1935), before being acquired by Albert Henry Wiggin (1868-1951) for Boston Public Library (). Harry Brisbane Dick (1855-1916) owned one that was bought with the Dick Fund for Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Finally, Clarence Buckingham (1855-1913) gave an impression to Howard Mansfield (1849-1938), which was sold through A.A. Hahlo & Co. to Harris G. Whittemore (d. ca 1937), and passed by family descent to Robert N. Whittemore (Yale Class of 1943) who gave it to the Yale Centre for British Art, New Haven, CT, 2002 ().
) which went with his bequest to the Freer Gallery of Art. A single impression remained in Whistler's estate and was bequeathed to Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958) in 1903, and by her to the University of Glasgow (). One owned by Bernard Buchanan MacGeorge (1845?-1924) was sold through H. Wunderlich & Co. and apparently owned by Edward Guthrie Kennedy (1849-1932) and by Henry Harper Benedict (1844-1935), before being acquired by Albert Henry Wiggin (1868-1951) for Boston Public Library (). Harry Brisbane Dick (1855-1916) owned one that was bought with the Dick Fund for Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Finally, Clarence Buckingham (1855-1913) gave an impression to Howard Mansfield (1849-1938), which was sold through A.A. Hahlo & Co. to Harris G. Whittemore (d. ca 1937), and passed by family descent to Robert N. Whittemore (Yale Class of 1943) who gave it to the Yale Centre for British Art, New Haven, CT, 2002 ().