The Title to the French Set; original paper wrappers of the set, one of the ‘Twelve Etchings from Nature,’ or the ‘French Set”
James Abbott McNeill Whistler
Description
Subject Matter:
This plate, showing Whistler himself drawing as he would have done on his walking trip in 1858, serves as the title page to the Paris version of the "French Set". This image was printed on the blue paper wrapper that contained the twelve loose prints of the "French Set". This particular intact and complete set was something of a hybrid because it contained this image (printed on white paper) as a 13th image to the set--a configuration found in the edition of the "French Set" that was published in London.
This "French Set" was owned by Seymour Haden's brother, Charles Sydenham Haden.
Physical Description:
A man in a broad-brimmed hat and a moustache sits sketching, his face largely in shadow. Around him are clustered groups of children absorbed in watching him drawing. A single figure of a boy, standing slightly apart at the right, gazes out at the viewer.
Usage Rights:
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