St James Street decorated with bunting |  Whistler Etchings Project (-) | |
| Number: | 326 | |
| Date: | 1887/1888 | |
| Medium: | etching | |
| Size: | 133 x 98 mm | |
| Signed: | butterfly at left | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | no | |
| No. of States: | 1 | |
| Known impressions: | 1 | |
| Catalogues: | K.-; M.-; T.-; W.- | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (1) | ||
The plate may date from 1887 or 1888- but most likely from 12 August 1887. The butterfly signature and style of drawing is consistent with this date.
A major celebration occurred throughout Britain in August 1887, at the time of Queen Victoria's Jubilee, and a procession passed through St James's Street, London, on 12 August 1887.
Two copper plates of similar size by Whistler are related to the Jubilee, Return to Tilbury 311 and Windsor Castle 314. Flags figure prominently in a much smaller etching, Bunting 304.
On the other hand, it could date from the autumn of 1888, when Beatrice and James Whistler were on honeymoon in the Loire valley. The street is hung with flags, suggesting a local or public festival. 14 July (Bastille Day), 15 August (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and All Souls Day on 1 November were particularly important.