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Brushing the Hair

Impression: Hunterian Art Gallery
Hunterian Art Gallery
(46766)
Number: 94
Date: 1863
Medium: drypoint
Size: 231 x 154 mm
Signed: 'Whistler.' at lower right
Inscribed: '1863.' at lower right
Set/Publication: 'Cancelled Plates', 1879
No. of States: 1
Known impressions: 17
Catalogues: K.93; M.93
Impressions taken from this plate  (17)

TECHNIQUE

It is drawn with sweeping lines of the drypoint needle.

PRINTING

There was a proof of Brushing the Hair, which was mentioned by Whistler in 1900 as a 'rare proof of Jo & her sister doing her hair - "The Toilette" I think it may be called - (dry point)'. 9 However, this has not been located.

9: Whistler to E.G. Kennedy, [12/15 February 1900], GUW #09799.

Brushing the Hair is only known in impressions from the cancelled plate. It was probably printed in an edition of as many as 20 impressions. It was printed in black ink, usually on laid paper, with minimal tone. The burr of the drypoint lines is still noticeable.
The paper is usually laid, ivory or cream in colour () and sometimes bears a partial Strasbourg Lily watermark, one having the additional letters 'LGZ' ().