The Fur Cloak - Mrs Herbert |  Freer Gallery of Art (1893.24) | |
| Number: | 367 | |
| Date: | 1887 | |
| Medium: | drypoint | |
| Size: | 218 x 128 mm | |
| Signed: | no | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | no | |
| No. of States: | 2 | |
| Known impressions: | 4 | |
| Catalogues: | K.332; M.328; W.221 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (4) | ||
TECHNIQUE
This plate was executed entirely in drypoint, very loosely drawn with broad areas of shading in long, widely separate lines, roughly overlapping at times, and closer cross-hatching around the head. Drypoint burr prints dramatically on early impressions but is worn on later impressions of the first state and those of the second state.
PRINTING
Whistler had only one impression of 'Mrs Herbert' in his 'List of Proofs in Stock' in 1889. 11 Very few impressions have been located.
11: 18 July 1889, GUW #13235.
In the earliest proofs there is heavy burr on the drypoint lines (), which soon faded. Some were printed in black ink on ivory laid papers (i.e. ) including one with a 'PRO PATRIA / MVD' watermark (); and another - this being inscribed by Whistler 'Fur Cloak, 1st State' - on off-white laid paper ().
The sole extant impression of the second state is in dark brown ink on ivory laid paper with an 'IV' countermark ().
All are trimmed to the platemark and signed on the tab with a butterfly and 'imp.' to show that Whistler printed them.