UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Tatting

Impression: Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago
(1924.644)
Number: 130
Date: 1874
Medium: etching
Size: 126 x 74 mm
Signed: no
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: Fine Art Society
No. of States: 1
Known impressions: 10
Catalogues: K.112; M.111; W.98
Impressions taken from this plate  (10)

TECHNIQUE

The main work is in etching, the lines being emphasized by retroussage. Her right arm was original drawn lower, in two different positions, and her left hand has likewise been altered. There are numerous outlines defining the torso and skirt, with the lines of 'tatting' conflicting with the outline of the skirt. Most of the drawing is done with patches of shading, some widely spaced. Faint, somewhat cursory shading is seen in the background, and acid droplets and foul biting are scattered to right of the figure.

PRINTING

It is difficult to identify early impressions printed by Whistler before going to Venice, although a couple of fine impressions printed in black ink on Japanese paper may reflect Whistler's hand (Graphic with a link to impression #K1120109, Graphic with a link to impression #K1120102).
It was published in 1880 by Dowdeswell & Dowdeswell, in a proposed edition of 25 numbered impressions. The main edition was printed by Frederick Goulding (1842-1909), in 1880, when Whistler was in Venice and could have had no part in printing. Some of Goulding's impressions were printed in dark brown ink with some retroussage to enhance the drypoint, and some were signed by Goulding (Graphic with a link to impression #K1120104). 15 It is probable that numbers written in graphite pencil in the margin of some impressions refer to this edition, including '2' (Graphic with a link to impression #K1120105); '8' or '16' (Graphic with a link to impression #K1120110); and '11' (Graphic with a link to impression #K1120104).

15: There is no mention of Tatting in the principal book on Goulding: Hardie 1910.

A variety of papers were used including ivory 'antique' (pre-1800) laid paper with the Arms of Amsterdam watermark (Graphic with a link to impression #K1120103); dark ivory laid (Graphic with a link to impression #K1120111); dark ivory wove paper, possibly Asian (Graphic with a link to impression #K1120106); cream Asian wove (Graphic with a link to impression #K1120106) and buff laid paper (Graphic with a link to impression #K1120104).