En plein soleil

James McNeill Whistler American

Not on view

Whistler probably captured this image of a grisette, or working girl holding a parasol, in the countryside near Paris (the title translates to "In Full Sun"). Realist and naturalist ideas circulating among artists in France influenced the unidealized approach. One of Whistler's early etchings, it was made in the summer of 1858 before he set out in mid-August to tour the Rhineland. In November, it was included in "Douze eau-fortes d'apres Nature" ("Twelve Etchings from Nature"), known as the "French Set." This is a later printing where the corners of the plate have been clipped.

En plein soleil, James McNeill Whistler (American, Lowell, Massachusetts 1834–1903 London), Etching, printed in black ink on buff chine on white wove paper (chine collé); third state of three (Glasgow)

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