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Old Putney Bridge

Impression: Colby College Museum of Art, Maine
Colby College Museum of Art, Maine
(2013.400)
Number: 185
Date: 1879
Medium: etching and drypoint
Size: 200 x 298 mm
Signed: butterfly at bottom (1-5); shaded (6-final)
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: Fine Art Society, 1879
No. of States: 7
Known impressions: 47
Catalogues: K.178; M.175; W.145
Impressions taken from this plate  (47)
Although the copper plate has not been located, it was a large size, and intended from the outset for an important subject suitable for publication. It is likely that it was obtained from Hughes & Kimber, for it was of a size sold by them at this time. Several Hughes & Kimber copper plates of similar size were among the plates Whistler took to Venice later in 1879 to fulfil the commission from the Fine Art Society (The Riva 229, Nocturne: Palaces 200, The Bridge, Santa Marta 201, The Balcony 202, The Rialto 199).
The copper plate was published by the Fine Art Society early in 1879, but when Whistler went bankrupt some of his copper plates were among works seized by the bailiffs. On 15 April 1889, it was recorded that the edition was completed and the plate destroyed and sent to the F.A.S. 11 It has not been located.

11: Brown to Whistler, GUW #01211, F.A.S. to Whistler, #01219.