M.0879 Butterfly for the private view of Venice Etchings
Artist: James McNeill Whistler Date: 1883 Collection: New York Public Library Accession Number: n/a Medium: pen and black ink Support: white laid paper, watermark of crown over hunting horn, and 'CHARTA ASPERA / L & S' Size: 8 11/16 x 6 3/4" (223 x 173 mm) Signature: butterfly signature on letter Inscription: letter including text, 'I really had some 80 or 100 little butterflies made of white and yellow satin - most exquisite - wonderful little bodies of plush - with the crisp silk wings and the silver barbed sting!'
Date unknown: acquired by New York Public Library.
Exhibitions
Butterfly for the private view of Venice Etchings, New York Public Library
This relates to designs for the Private View of Etchings & Drypoints - Venice. Second Series, Fine Art Society, London, 1883, but was not itself exhibited.