James Abbott McNeill Whistler - Evening & Day Editions New York Wednesday, October 17, 2018 | Phillips

Evening & Day Editions

New York Auction 17 October 2018

  • Provenance

    Fine Art Society, London

  • Literature

    Edward G. Kennedy 184 V
    University of Glasgow 222.IX

  • Catalogue Essay

    Dominating the view across a wide stretch of water, to right of center, is the church of San Giorgio Maggiore on the island of San Giorgio. To left is a large three-masted steamer with a lantern at the bow. Several gondolas are scattered over the lagoon. At far left are the domes and cupola of Santa Maria della Salute.

    Glasgow notes that by 1889, Whistler had printed approximately 97 impressions of states 1-9. Fifty-nine impressions are known today and this image is considered to be his most atmospheric etching.

    '..and we find a masterly treatment of the texture and transparency of the water, a treatment indeed which in etching is little short of surprising. This quality is found to a yet greater extent, or perhaps one should say allied with yet another quality, in "Nocturne Riva", where the sky is excellent, and where not only is the water also excellent in depth and reality, but also in some hardly definable way its peculiar colour is artfully suggested to those who know the Venetian waters. No doubt the effect is due to the rendering of the texture suggesting unconsciously the colour also, and if this is so the rendering of the texture demands all the more praise.' The Saturday Review, Mr. Whistler's Exhibition, February 24, 1883

2

James Abbott McNeill Whistler

Nocturne, from Venice, a Series of Twelve Etchings (the First Venice Set)

1879-80
Etching, in brown ink with carefully wiped plate tone, on laid paper, trimmed to the platemark by the artist, with a signature tab, the ninth (final) state.
S. 7 7/8 x 11 1/2 in. (19.9 x 29.1 cm)
Signed in pencil with the artist's butterfly monogram and inscribed 'imp' on the tab, one of approximately 97 total impressions of all nine states, published by the Fine Art Society, London, framed.

Estimate
$15,000 - 20,000 

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Evening & Day Editions

New York Auction 17 October 2018