UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

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The Fur Cloak - Mrs Herbert

Impression: Freer Gallery of Art
Freer Gallery of Art
(1893.24)
Number: 367
Date: 1887
Medium: drypoint
Size: 218 x 128 mm
Signed: no
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: no
No. of States: 2
Known impressions: 4
Catalogues: K.332; M.328; W.221
Impressions taken from this plate  (4)

TECHNIQUE

This plate was executed entirely in drypoint, very loosely drawn with broad areas of shading in long, widely separate lines, roughly overlapping at times, and closer cross-hatching around the head. Drypoint burr prints dramatically on early impressions but is worn on later impressions of the first state and those of the second state.

PRINTING

Whistler had only one impression of 'Mrs Herbert' in his 'List of Proofs in Stock' in 1889. 11 Very few impressions have been located.

11: 18 July 1889, GUW #13235.

In the earliest proofs there is heavy burr on the drypoint lines (Graphic with a link to impression #K3320103), which soon faded. Some were printed in black ink on ivory laid papers (i.e. Graphic with a link to impression #K3320103) including one with a 'PRO PATRIA / MVD' watermark (Graphic with a link to impression #K3320102); and another - this being inscribed by Whistler 'Fur Cloak, 1st State' - on off-white laid paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K3320202).
The sole extant impression of the second state is in dark brown ink on ivory laid paper with an 'IV' countermark (Graphic with a link to impression #K3320302).
All are trimmed to the platemark and signed on the tab with a butterfly and 'imp.' to show that Whistler printed them.