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The Scotch Widow

Impression: New York Public Library
New York Public Library
(MEZAP)
Number: 147
Date: 1875/1876
Medium: drypoint
Size: 205 x 103 mm
Signed: butterfly at right
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: 'Cancelled Plates', 1879
No. of States: 1
Known impressions: 18
Catalogues: K.142; M.140; W.118
Impressions taken from this plate  (18)
The Scotch Widow dates from 1875.

It was dated '75', possibly by Whistler, on one impression () for Samuel Putnam Avery (1822-1904). Avery lent this to an exhibition in 1881, describing it in the catalogue as '1875'. 1 Frederick Wedmore (1844-1921) also described it as 'A dry-point, done in 1875.' 2

The butterfly signature and drypoint technique confirm this date. Works of similar date include Fanny Leyland 135, Elinor Leyland 137, Florence Leyland 136, Agnes 146, The Little Velvet Dress 119 and The Silk Dress 151.

1: New York 1881 (cat. no. 137).

2: Wedmore 1886 A[more] (cat. no. 118).