UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

This plate was begun in pure etching, and only a few fine vertical drypoint lines were added in the second state. The face, body, and shadows around the body, are shaded with small patches of shading, sometimes cross-hatched, creating a mosaic-like effect.

Seven impressions of Venus (Nettie Pettigrew) have been located, several of them inscribed, and on similar paper: the first proof was inscribed by Whistler '1st State / 1st proof pulled' and was printed in black ink on ivory laid paper with a crowned 'GR' (countermark to the 'Pro Patria' watermark (); the second impression has not been identified but the third and fourth are similarly inscribed '1st. State. 3rd proof' and '4th proof. 1st State' and are also in black ink, both with the 'Pro Patria' watermark (, ).

Whistler kept five impressions, and did not exhibit them. The third and fourth proofs, which he kept, were not trimmed but were signed under the image with Whistler's butterfly and 'imp.' to show that he had printed them. Some impressions were trimmed and signed on a tab before being sold (i.e. ) but two, though trimmed and signed on the tab, remained in Whistler's possession (, ). Yet another impression kept by Whistler was trimmed to the platemark but not signed ().