La Marchande de Moutarde |  National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC (1943.3.8410) | |
| Number: | 20 | |
| Date: | 1858 | |
| Medium: | etching | |
| Size: | 157 x 90 mm | |
| Signed: | 'Whistler' at lower left | |
| Inscribed: | 'Imp. Delatre. Rue St. Jacques. 171.' (2-3); crossed out (4); removed (5) | |
| Set/Publication: | 'French Set', 1858 | |
| No. of States: | 5 | |
| Known impressions: | 75 | |
| Catalogues: | K.22; M.22; T.11; W.16 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (75) | ||
PUBLICATION
It was published as La Marchande de Moutarde in Douze eaux-fortes d'après Nature (Twelve Etchings from Nature, the 'French Set') in 1858. Impressions in the second, third and fourth state all bear the address of the printer, Auguste Delâtre (1822-1907) but it is crossed out in the latter.
Frederick Wedmore (1844-1921) gave details of the later publication:
'in 1886 the Editor of English Etchings bought the plate, and added an issue of two hundred copies to the very small number of fine impressions originally taken. His two hundred were printed on old Whatman paper of 1814, and Goulding printed for him, very carefully, a few impressions on old Dutch paper of the seventeenth century.' 11
11: Wedmore 1886 A.
The printer of this edition, in the fifth state of the etching, was Frederick Goulding (1842-1909). The edition was published in 1888, when E. Holmes-May wrote:
'After lying perdu for a considerable period, this exquisite
plate has come into our possession and we have much pleasure in being
able to place before our Subscribers, such a notable example of
Whistler's work.
In Hamerton's ''Etching and Etchers'', it is one of those selected and
specially recommended to the collector and student ... Mr Hamerton says : - ''It is unfortunate, I think, ... A
hundred copies of a publication can do but little for the fame of its
author, a thousand might do something.''
It will be observed that in ''La Marchande de Moutarde'' there is
nothing of the peculiarity, which marks the later work of Mr
WHISTLER. It is careful and deliberate, and possesses many charms of
technique which all must admire - but which only those who are
familiar with the difficulties of point and veil, can fully appreciate.
A few of the proofs first taken from this plate after its acquisition,
can be obtained on application to the Editor. Price, mounted and Post
free, 10s 6d.'
12
12: English Etchings by English Artists and Essays relating to the art, ed. W. Holmes May, London, part 67, 1888.
Whistler may not have appreciated a reference to 'peculiarity'! The Academy commented that the plate was 'still in serviceable and excellent condition ... first printed by Delatre. It was supposed to be issued in 1859; but very few copies even reached the print-buying public'. 13
13: 30 October 1886, pp. 299-300.
EXHIBITIONS
Since La Marchande de Moutarde had been published, exhibited and republished, this became well-known. It was first exhibited at the Salon in 1859 as 'La marchande de moutarde (Cologne)'. 14 It was then shown in an exhibition of the work of contemporary artists at The Hague in 1863. 15
After its exhibitions in Paris and The Hague, it was shown in Whistler's one-man show in London in 1874. 16 In an 1874 review it was related both to the work of Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn (1617-1681), and to French language and culture:
After its exhibitions in Paris and The Hague, it was shown in Whistler's one-man show in London in 1874. 16 In an 1874 review it was related both to the work of Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn (1617-1681), and to French language and culture:
14: Paris Salon 1859 (cat. no. 3673).
15: Hague 1863. See REFERENCES: EXHIBITIONS.
16: London Pall Mall 1874 (cat. no. 40).
'Among the etchings proper the small highly-finished "La Vielle aux Loquecs" [sic] is in power of composition and light and shade, like a Rembrandt on a small scale; and of kindred excellence is the little work "La Marchande de Moutarde" (40: French, we observe, seems to be taking place as a kind of artists' language among us, and not unworthily)'. 17
17: 'Mr Whistler's Etchings', The Builder, 5 July 1874 (in GUL PC1/73).
Another impression travelled in a touring show to Liverpool with the collection of James Anderson Rose (1819-1890) in the same year. 18 It was seen by the public in international exhibitions, such as those in Cincinnati in 1875 and Philadelphia in 1879, and in private clubs, for connoisseurs and collectors. Samuel Putnam Avery (1822-1904) lent one to the Union League Club, New York in 1881 (
). 19 An early impression, 'before the address of the printer' Auguste Delâtre (1822-1907), was shown at the Glasgow International Exhibition in 1888, lent by Bernard Buchanan MacGeorge (1845?-1924) (). It was also mistakenly titled 'La Marchande de Montarde' in the catalogue. 20 Bryan Lathrop (1844-1916) also lent one to the Caxton Club, Chicago, in 1900 (). 21
Impressions also appeared in print dealer's shows, particularly at H. Wunderlich & Co. (1898, 1903) and F. Keppel & Co. (1902) in New York, and Obach & Co. in London (1903), including first and second states shown in New York and London in 1903. Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919) bought an impression of the second state from the 1898 show ().
). 19 An early impression, 'before the address of the printer' Auguste Delâtre (1822-1907), was shown at the Glasgow International Exhibition in 1888, lent by Bernard Buchanan MacGeorge (1845?-1924) (). It was also mistakenly titled 'La Marchande de Montarde' in the catalogue. 20 Bryan Lathrop (1844-1916) also lent one to the Caxton Club, Chicago, in 1900 (). 21 Impressions also appeared in print dealer's shows, particularly at H. Wunderlich & Co. (1898, 1903) and F. Keppel & Co. (1902) in New York, and Obach & Co. in London (1903), including first and second states shown in New York and London in 1903. Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919) bought an impression of the second state from the 1898 show (
). 18: Liverpool 1874 (cat. no. 511).
19: New York 1881 (cat. no. 24).
20: Glasgow 1888 (cat. no. 2552-10)
21: Chicago 1900 (cat. no. 16).
Finally, it was exhibited after Whistler's death in the comprehensive Memorial Exhibitions in Boston - lent by Howard Mansfield (1849-1938) - and New York in 1904, and in the following year, in Paris and - lent by King Edward VII - in London. 22
22: Boston 1904 (cat. no. 10); New York 1904a (cat. no. 17);London Mem. 1905 (cat. no. 16); Paris Mem. 1905 (cat. no. 297).
SALES & COLLECTORS
Whistler was aided by his family in selling the 'French Set.' Thomas de Kay Winans (1820-1878) bought Whistler's etchings including La Marchande de Moutarde () in the summer of 1859 through Francis Seymour Haden, Sr (1818-1910), to whom he wrote on 20 June: 'I enclose two drafts on Liverpool amounting to £63 sterling and as requested by you, for the etchings - they arrived in good order and are considered very fine, doing Jemmy great credit'. 23 The set was given by Winans's descendants to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
) in the summer of 1859 through Francis Seymour Haden, Sr (1818-1910), to whom he wrote on 20 June: 'I enclose two drafts on Liverpool amounting to £63 sterling and as requested by you, for the etchings - they arrived in good order and are considered very fine, doing Jemmy great credit'. 23 The set was given by Winans's descendants to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.23: GUW #07079.
On 1 January 1861 Haden sold 16 prints to what was then the South Kensington Museum (now the V&A) for £10.10.0, and in addition presented the museum with a complete 'French Set', as printed by Auguste Delâtre (1822-1907) including La Marchande de Moutarde (). 24 In 1904, the museum bought an impression as published in English Etchings from the London dealer E. Parsons ().
). 24 In 1904, the museum bought an impression as published in English Etchings from the London dealer E. Parsons (). 24: V&A, Register for Prints, p. 33.
Among Whistler's early collectors was Samuel Putnam Avery (1822-1904) (). Whistler himself bought back an impression of La Marchande de Moutarde from Edmond Gosselin (1849-1917), in 1888 for 80 francs, presumably with the aim of re-selling it. 25
). Whistler himself bought back an impression of La Marchande de Moutarde from Edmond Gosselin (1849-1917), in 1888 for 80 francs, presumably with the aim of re-selling it. 25 25: 28 December 1888, GUW #13076.
Prices varied quite considerably during Whistler's lifetime, from £.1.10.0 for a print from the collection of Philippe Burty (1830-1890) in 1876 to £6.13.0 for 'first state, rare' paid by the art dealers, Messrs Dowdeswell in 1896. An impression listed as 'first state' was bought after the death of Joshua Hutchinson Hutchinson (ca 1829 - d.1891), for £4.10.0, and a 'second state' for £0.16.0 by the London print dealer, Robert Dunthorne (b. ca 1851), in 1892. 26
The etching was also, of course, sold with the 'French Set'; for instance, a complete set was bought by Colnaghi's in 1894 for £6.0.0. 27 A single impression was sold at the J.M. Gray sale in November 1894 for £1.12.0. 28 The Kupferstichkabinett, Berlin, paid far more - £9.10.0 - for an impression bought from Obach & Co. in 1902 ().
The etching was also, of course, sold with the 'French Set'; for instance, a complete set was bought by Colnaghi's in 1894 for £6.0.0. 27 A single impression was sold at the J.M. Gray sale in November 1894 for £1.12.0. 28 The Kupferstichkabinett, Berlin, paid far more - £9.10.0 - for an impression bought from Obach & Co. in 1902 (
).26: Sotheby's, 30 April 1876 (lot 740); 15 December 1896 (lot 263); and 3 March 1892 (lots 59-60); Wedmore 1886 A (cat. no. 16).
27: Christie's, 31 July 1894 (lot 8).
28: 'J.M. Gray sale', The Academy, 17 November 1894, p. 405.
Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919) bought an impression of the second state from from Wunderlich's in 1891 () and another, that had come from the collection of Francis Seymour Haden, Sr (1818-1910), in 1898 (). There was very little dfference between them except that one was on cream and the other on ivory laid paper.
) and another, that had come from the collection of Francis Seymour Haden, Sr (1818-1910), in 1898 (). There was very little dfference between them except that one was on cream and the other on ivory laid paper.Other early collectors included Charles Sydenham Haden (1822-1898) and Margaret Selkirk Watson Parker (1867-1936) (); Jean-Louis-Henri Le Secq (1818-1882) and Atherton Curtis (1863-1944) in Paris (); Guy John Fenton Knowles (1879-1959) (, ); and Henry Nazeby Harrington (1862-1937) (). From Henry Studdy Theobald (1847-1934) and Ernest Stephen Lumsden (1883-1968) () and from Thomas Barclay () impressions went to the Scottish National Gallery, from Arthur Haythorne Studd (1863-1919), to the British Museum (). A second state from the Royal Collection was sold through Agnew's and went first to Theodore de Witt (dates unknown) and later to Lessing Julius Rosenwald (1891-1971) who gave it to the National Gallery of Art (). Likewise, two impressions went from the Glasgow collector Bernard Buchanan MacGeorge (1845?-1924) to Albert W. Scholle (1860-1917) and Rosenwald, and thence to the National Gallery (, ).
); Jean-Louis-Henri Le Secq (1818-1882) and Atherton Curtis (1863-1944) in Paris (); Guy John Fenton Knowles (1879-1959) (, ); and Henry Nazeby Harrington (1862-1937) (). From Henry Studdy Theobald (1847-1934) and Ernest Stephen Lumsden (1883-1968) () and from Thomas Barclay () impressions went to the Scottish National Gallery, from Arthur Haythorne Studd (1863-1919), to the British Museum (). A second state from the Royal Collection was sold through Agnew's and went first to Theodore de Witt (dates unknown) and later to Lessing Julius Rosenwald (1891-1971) who gave it to the National Gallery of Art (). Likewise, two impressions went from the Glasgow collector Bernard Buchanan MacGeorge (1845?-1924) to Albert W. Scholle (1860-1917) and Rosenwald, and thence to the National Gallery (, ).In America, collectors included Henry F. Sewall (1816-1896) (); Harry Brisbane Dick (1855-1916) (, ); Alfred Atmore Pope (1842-1913) and his daughter Theodate Pope (1867-1946) ();Bryan Lathrop (1844-1916) (); Charles Deering (1852-1927) (); Ralph King (1855-1926) and his wife (), and Albert Henry Wiggin (1868-1951) (). In due course Boston Public Library, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Hill-Stead Museum, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Art Institute of Chicago, Cleveland Museum of Art and other major collections benefitted from these collectors' generosity.
); Harry Brisbane Dick (1855-1916) (, ); Alfred Atmore Pope (1842-1913) and his daughter Theodate Pope (1867-1946) ();Bryan Lathrop (1844-1916) (); Charles Deering (1852-1927) (); Ralph King (1855-1926) and his wife (), and Albert Henry Wiggin (1868-1951) (). In due course Boston Public Library, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Hill-Stead Museum, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Art Institute of Chicago, Cleveland Museum of Art and other major collections benefitted from these collectors' generosity.