UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Etchings         Institutions search term: obach

Grand'Place, Brussels

Impression: Freer Gallery of Art
Freer Gallery of Art
(1903.246)
Number: 335
Date: 1887
Medium: etching and drypoint
Size: 222 x 143 mm
Signed: butterfly at right
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: no
No. of States: 2
Known impressions: 15
Catalogues: K.362; M.354; W.251
Impressions taken from this plate  (15)

TECHNIQUE

The first state of Grand'Place, Brussels is primarily etching, with drypoint shading used to darken windows and doorways. Shading added in the second state was etched.

PRINTING

Impressions were printed on an interesting variety of papers. One first state was printed in black ink on buff laid paper with a 'PRO PATRIA' watermark (Graphic with a link to impression #K3620109); one in dark brown ink on ivory laid paper with the crowned 'GR' countermark to 'FI PRO PATRIA' (Graphic with a link to impression #K3620111) and in black ink on similar paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K3620102, Graphic with a link to impression #K3620103). Others are in black on cream laid watermarked paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K3620108); ivory laid (Graphic with a link to impression #K3620113); ivory laid paper with the watermark of a Hunting Horn in a shield (Graphic with a link to impression #K3620107); and buff laid 'antique' (pre-1800) laid (Graphic with a link to impression #K3620110). One was removed from a book, possibly also watermarked, with the marks of the sewing holes visible, as well as some discolouration down the left edge (Graphic with a link to impression #K3620104). One first state is in dark brown ink on ivory Japan (Graphic with a link to impression #K3620114) and one second state is on a thin cream fibrous Japanese paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K3620201). All were trimmed to the platemark and signed on the tab with Whistler's butterfly and 'imp.' to show that he had printed them.