Etchings Institutions search term: obach
Doorway, Stables - Loches |  Hunterian Art Gallery (46989) | |
| Number: | 416 | |
| Date: | 1888 | |
| Medium: | etching and drypoint | |
| Size: | 148 x 80 mm | |
| Signed: | butterfly at upper centre | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | no | |
| No. of States: | 2 | |
| Known impressions: | 5 | |
| Catalogues: | K.377; M.377 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (5) | ||
TECHNIQUE
The first state is etched. The curious, busy, spacially confusing composition was drawn quickly, with long scrawly outlines and broad, irregular patches of shading and zigzags to indicate texture, shadows, foliage etc. The figures were summarised with a few expressive lines, implying movement, but not finished in any detail. Smaller areas of regular drypoint shading were added in the second state, creating rich shadows in the doorways.
PRINTING
Two impressions were kept by Whistler and passed on his death to Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958) and from her to the University of Glasgow (
and
). One of these, a first state printed in brown ink on ivory laid paper, has pencil additions to the woman on the balcony ().
and
). One of these, a first state printed in brown ink on ivory laid paper, has pencil additions to the woman on the balcony ().Few impressions were printed. One of the first state was inscribed '1st proof -' by the artist (). Impressions were printed in dark brown ink on laid paper (i.e. , , ). Most were trimmed to the platemark and signed on the tab with Whistler's butterfly and 'imp.' to show he printed them. One, however, was trimmed on three sides but not at the bottom, although Whistler got as far as adding his butterfly and 'imp.' under the platemark, and this was sold to Bryan Lathrop (1844-1916) before 1900 (). Finally, one has a tab but no signature, and remained in Whistler's possession - presumably he planned to sign it before selling it ().
). Impressions were printed in dark brown ink on laid paper (i.e. , , ). Most were trimmed to the platemark and signed on the tab with Whistler's butterfly and 'imp.' to show he printed them. One, however, was trimmed on three sides but not at the bottom, although Whistler got as far as adding his butterfly and 'imp.' under the platemark, and this was sold to Bryan Lathrop (1844-1916) before 1900 (). Finally, one has a tab but no signature, and remained in Whistler's possession - presumably he planned to sign it before selling it ().