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Fishing Quay, Ostend

Impression: Hunterian Art Gallery
Hunterian Art Gallery
(46976)
Number: 351
Date: 1887
Medium: etching
Size: 129 x 178 mm
Signed: butterfly at left
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: no
No. of States: 1
Known impressions: 5
Catalogues: K.352; M.348
Impressions taken from this plate  (5)
Fishing Quay, Ostend probably dates from September 1887 although it could date from the previous year. The butterfly signature is consistent with these dates. It was first sold on 17 November 1887. 1

On 13 January 1888 the Sunday Times reported, 'Mr. Whistler has lately finished a number of very beautiful new etchings, having selected his subjects in Brussels, Ostend and actually Houndsditch'. 2 It seems likely that Whistler or a friend planted this news item to help promote his recent etchings.

Whistler's etchings of Ostend include Fish Women, Ostend 349, Market Place, Ostend 350, The Canal, Ostend 352 and The Beach, Ostend 353.

1: Whistler to T. McLean, GUW #13016.

2: Press-cutting, GUL PC9/54; repeated in Home and Colonial Mail, 20 January 1888 (GUL PC9/55).