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Nude Reclining

Impression: Freer Gallery of Art
Freer Gallery of Art
(1903.259)
Number: 126
Date: 1874
Medium: drypoint
Size: 216 x 139 mm
Signed: no
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: no
No. of States: 1
Known impressions: 3
Catalogues: K.126; M.123; W.113
Impressions taken from this plate  (3)

TECHNIQUE

Impression: K1260202
Whistler worked on an impression of the first state in bold strokes and washes of indian ink, suggesting changes to be made to the drypoint - a smaller head, shadows on and behind the figure, and stripes on the sofa (Graphic with a link to impression #K1260202). As far as is known these amendments were never made.
Frederick Wedmore (1844-1921) commented: 'A perhaps too slight, yet graceful and rare, dry-point. Mr Menpes has two impressions washed with Indian ink. They needed fortification.' 7

7: Wedmore 1886 A (cat. no. 113).

PRINTING

Only two impressions of Nude Reclining have been located (Graphic with a link to impression #K1260102 and Graphic with a link to impression #K1260202). Both were printed in black ink, one with additional wash on ivory laid paper from an old ledger, with old Dutch or German inscriptions on the verso (Graphic with a link to impression #K1260102). The second state is on cream 'antique' (pre-1800) laid paper also from a book, with the 'Pro Patria' watermark (Graphic with a link to impression #K1260202).
In addition, a single impression of the cancelled state, also in black ink, has been located (Graphic with a link to impression #K1260301).