15. James Abbott McNeill Whistler
(1834-1903)

The Smith, Passage du Dragon

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Whistler, The Smith

The Smith, Passage du Dragon

Lithograph, 1894, 278 x 178 mm., Way 73; Levy 109-110; Spink/Chicago Art Institute 103 ii/iii, edition of 34. Fine, atmospheric impression on laid china paper with small margins, laid down on board. The second state is after the darkening of the image (which greatly improved it) and the additional work above the window, but before the few added lines of the third state. Way records 34 lifetime impressions of all states together, of which this is one. There were both lifetime and posthumous impressions of the third state. The work was originally a transfer lithograph with the additions of the second and third states done directly on the stone. Rare and beautiful.