Nude Reclining |  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
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 (). 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[more] (cat. no. 113).
PRINTING
Only two impressions of Nude Reclining have been located ( and ). 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 (). The second state is on cream 'antique' (pre-1800) laid paper also from a book, with the 'Pro Patria' watermark ().
In addition, a single impression of the cancelled state, also in black ink, has been located ().