Title to the French Set

James McNeill Whistler American
 Dedicatee Sir Francis Seymour Haden British

Not on view

Whistler here depicts himself outdoors working on a copper plate surrounded by fascinated children. The image responds to a Rhineland tour he made in the summer and fall of 1858 and was used to introduce "Douze eau-fortes d'apres Nature" (Twelve Etchings from Nature), the artist's first published set. The title indicates his realist affinities with lettering added to credit Auguste Delâtre as printer and dedicating the work to Seymour Haden. As Whistler’s brother-in-law, the latter had encouraged his first serious etchings. Even when dressed in a loose traveling suit, the artist cuts a dashing figure, with romantically long hair and a beribboned hat.

Title to the French Set, James McNeill Whistler (American, Lowell, Massachusetts 1834–1903 London), Etching, printed in black ink on gray chine on off-white wove paper (chine collé); only state (Glasgow)

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Title to the French Set, James McNeill Whistler (American, Lowell, Massachusetts 1834–1903 London), Etching, printed in black ink on gray chine on off-white wove paper (chine collé); only state (Glasgow)
Title to the French Set, James McNeill Whistler (American, Lowell, Massachusetts 1834–1903 London), Etching, printed in black ink on gray chine on off-white wove paper (chine collé); only state (Glasgow)

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.