Detail from The Canal, Amsterdam, 1889, James McNeill Whistler, The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

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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!'

Butterfly for the private view of Venice Etchings

Provenance

  • 1883: sent to the artist's brother William McNeill Whistler (1836-1900).
  • Date unknown: acquired by New York Public Library.

Exhibitions

Butterfly for the private view of Venice Etchings, New York Public Library
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.

Last updated: 20th February 2021 by Margaret