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The Piano

Impression: Freer Gallery of Art
Freer Gallery of Art
(1904.58)
Number: 144
Date: 1875-1877
Medium: drypoint and open bite
Size: 236 x 160 mm
Signed: butterfly at left (3-final)
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: 'Cancelled Plates', 1879
No. of States: 7
Known impressions: 26
Catalogues: K.141; M.139; W.117
Impressions taken from this plate  (26)
The Piano probably dates from 1875. The butterfly signature is consistent with these dates. It was first recorded and sold in the spring of 1875. 1

The date '75' is written on an impression of the second state, but it is not certain that it was written by Whistler (); it may have been signed in 1875 and does not necessarily prove the etching dated originally from 1875.

1: Whistler to W. C. Alexander, [March/April 1875?], GUW #07573.

Works of similar date include The Scotch Widow 147, Fanny Leyland 135, Elinor Leyland 137, Florence Leyland 136, Agnes 146, The Little Velvet Dress 119 and The Silk Dress 151.