UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

The Kitchen

Impression: Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago
(1938.1895)
Number: 16
Date: 1858
Medium: etching
Size: 227 x 157 mm
Signed: 'Whistler' at lower right
Inscribed: 'Imp. Delatre. Rue St. Jacques. 171.' at lower right (2); partly removed (3)
Set/Publication: 'French Set', 1858; Fine Art Society, 1885 (3)
No. of States: 3
Known impressions: 67
Catalogues: K.24; M.24; T.13; W.19
Impressions taken from this plate  (67)

TECHNIQUE

Comparative image
This etching is based closely on a sketch in pencil and watercolour, The Kitchen [m0235], reproduced above. This suggests that it was actually etched back in the studio, possibly on Whistler's return to Paris. It is pure etching, with no drypoint.

PRINTING

No impression of the first state has been located: most are in the second state, of which some three dozen have been identified. It was printed by Auguste Delâtre (1822-1907) for the 'French Set' in 1858. Typical impressions of the etching in its second state printed by Delâtre are in dark brown ink on off-white chine appliqué (Graphic with a link to impression #K0240208) and in black ink on ivory chine (Graphic with a link to impression #K0240206, Graphic with a link to impression #K0240215). Some however are in dark brown ink on ivory laid paper (i.e. Graphic with a link to impression #K0240225). The area around the window was usually wiped cleaner than the rest, while the shadows gain extra depth from slightly darker tone on the surface.
Ten impressions of the etching as published in the third state by the Fine Art Society, London, have been located. These impressions were printed by Whistler, or under his supervision. In March 1884 Marcus Bourne Huish (1843-1904) was asking Whistler for 'a few proofs', and on 12 June the F.A.S. acknowledged receipt of fifty proofs and a proof of the cancelled plate. 11

11: 15 March 1884, GUW #01170; #13075.

According to Kennedy, 'Fifty impressions of this [3rd] state were printed by Whistler, who then trimmed off the margins, except the part signed in pencil with the butterfly and "imp." The plate was then cancelled. Published by The Fine Art Society, in 1885.' 12 Nothing like the number of impressions indicated by Kennedy have been located; presumably there are a lot hidden in dark corners.

12: Kennedy 1910 (cat. no. 24).

A typical example of the Fine Art Society edition was printed in dark brown ink with surface tone wiped to emphasize the light area near the window; it shows distinct signs of wear around the figure (Graphic with a link to impression #K0240303). It is trimmed to the platemark and signed with a butterfly 'imp' on the tab, which can be dated to 1885.
Most impressions of the third state from the Fine Art Society edition are in black ink (Graphic with a link to impression #K0240305), and some in dark brown (Graphic with a link to impression #K0240306) on laid paper, including several sheets with watermarks, including Pro Patria (Graphic with a link to impression #K0240315, Graphic with a link to impression #K0240306) and Crown over 'GR' (Graphic with a link to impression #K0240305, Graphic with a link to impression #K0240303, Graphic with a link to impression #K0240302).