Little Arthur

Arthur Charles Haden|James McNeill Whistler

1858 · Etching, printed in black ink on off-white chine mounted on off-white wove paper; fourth state of four (Glasgow) · Drawings and Prints

Early in 1858, Whistler went to London from Paris to recuperate from a bad fall and stayed with his sister Deborah and her husband Seymour Haden. A gifted etcher, the latter encouraged the artist’s first serious efforts in the medium. This moody image of the artist's nephew emphasizes dramatic lighting over portraiture and echoes Rembrandt whose works were collected by Haden. In November 1858, Whistler included the print in his first published set, "Douze eau-fortes d'apres Nature" ("Twelve Etchings from Nature"), known as the "French Set."

Artist

Arthur Charles Haden|James McNeill Whistler

Date

1858

Medium

Etching, printed in black ink on off-white chine mounted on off-white wove paper; fourth state of four (Glasgow)

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917