The Garden
James Whistler (1834-1903), The Garden, etching and drypoint, 1879-80, signed with the butterfly on the tab and inscribed imp; also inscribed ox verso, on early 18th Century laid paper with the watermark Arms of Amsterdam. References: Kennedy 210, sixth state (of 8). Glasgow 194, probably 8th state (of 15), before the figure of the woman at the right in the doorway turns toward her right (cf. Margaret F. MacDonald, Grischka Petri, Meg Hausberg, and Joanna Meacock, James McNeill Whistler: The Etchings, a catalogue raisonné, University of Glasgow, 2011)
From the Second Venice Set, edition of 30 plus 12 individual proofs of selected prints, including The Garden. In very good condition, trimmed by the artist on the platemark except for the butterfly tab. 12 x 9 7/8 inches.
Provenance: Kennedy Gallery, New York, with their stock number verso (A6410)
A superb impression in dark brown/sepia ink, carefully wiped to darken the canal in the foreground and to highlight the doorway.
This magical composition depicts a doorway and canal in Venice, but the precise location of this doorway remains unknown.