16. James Abbott McNeill Whistler
(1834-1903)

Back of the Gaiety Theatre

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Whistler, Back of the Gaiety

Back of the Gaiety Theatre

Lithograph, 1895, 262 x 235 mm., Way 81; Levy 120; Spink/Chicago Art Institute 117, edition of 6. Provenance: Thomas R. Way (Lugt 2456); Louis B. Dailey (not in L.). Very fine and clear impression on laid china paper with small but probably full margins. The work was drawn directly on the stone from the window of Way's office and the stone was erased by 1896. Only six impressions were recorded by Way (two of which were pencil signed). Since other impressions have been located in the Chicago Art Institute, Glasgow, London, Washington and Cleveland, this is presumably the last impression in private hands. No other impression has been found at auction. Of the six impressions, three, including this one, were at one time in the collection of Thomas R. Way, the author of the catalog raisonné of Whistler's lithographs.