Carpet Menders, Paris |  Hunterian Art Gallery (46646) | |
| Number: | 480 | |
| Date: | 1897/1898 | |
| Medium: | etching and drypoint | |
| Size: | 201 x 251 mm | |
| Signed: | butterfly at left | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | no | |
| No. of States: | 1 | |
| Known impressions: | 2 | |
| Catalogues: | K.420; M.416; W.257 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (2) | ||
Carpet Menders, Paris probably dates from 1897 or early 1898.
The butterfly is shaded, which is unusual; the background trefoil was often shaded between 1888 and 1895, but not the butterfly itself. It may be a sign of mourning for the death of Beatrice Whistler (1857-1896). A similar butterfly is seen on Mme Pelletier, Blanchisserie, Paris [481].
Furthermore, this etching was first sold and exhibited in 1898, suggesting a possible date of 1897 or early 1898. 1
Furthermore, this etching was first sold and exhibited in 1898, suggesting a possible date of 1897 or early 1898. 1
1: Wunderlich's to Whistler, 1898 Sales Report, 24 March 1899, GUW #07305.
Mansfield thought it was among earlier Paris etchings: 'This etching and nearly all of the etchings further catalogued were done in Paris. Some of these Paris etchings were begun in 1892, and all were probably finished by 1895.' 2 It is true that Whistler was living in Paris from 1892-1893, but he was also working there frequently between 1896 and 1900 and the later date is more likely in this case.
2: Mansfield 1909 (cat. no. 416).