Print of figures seated around a table
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
Unable to open [object Object]: HTTP 0 attempting to load TileSource: https://ids.lib.harvard.edu/ids/iiif/18823902/info.json
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

Three figures holding papers sit around a round table in a dim room. A lamp with an asymmetrical conical shade sits on the table. The figure in the right foreground wears a dark dress with a voluminous skirt. The figure in the left foreground leans back in his chair with legs extended. He wears a jacket and fitted pants. The figure in the background wears a dark jacket. In the background to the left is a cabinet with glassware. A framed image rests against the wall below it. Whistler’s “butterfly” signature appears on the paper below the print.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
2005.283
People
James Abbott McNeill Whistler, American (Lowell, MA 1834 - 1903 London, England)
Title
The Music Room
Classification
Prints
Work Type
print
Date
1859
Culture
American
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/12480

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Etching and drypoint with considerable plate tone printed in black ink on off-white antique laid paper
Technique
Etching
Dimensions
plate: 14.4 x 21.5 cm (5 11/16 x 8 7/16 in.)
sheet: 23.3 x 35.6 cm (9 3/16 x 14 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Signed: l.l. margin in graphite pencil: butterfly signature
  • collector's mark: verso l.l., ired stamp: S. S. V within a rectangular outline [unidentified collector's mark (Lugt 2368b)]
  • collector's mark: verso l.l., red stamp: RR [in an oval, collector's mark of Robert Rice, not in Lugt]
  • inscription: lower sheet margin just below the plate mark at left, graphite: butterfly [Whistler's signature]
  • inscription: lower sheet margin, at cornesr, various graphite inscriptions: RX / [illeg.] / M31 / K33II [encircled] / 3 [encircled] / 440
  • inscription: verso, various graphite inscriptions: 9280 [underlined] / DTNAK41t
  • collector's mark: verso, blue stamp with accession number written below in graphite:
    THE WILLIAM HAYES FOGG / ART MUSEUM OF / HARVARD UNIVERSITY / 2005.283 [Lugt 936]

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Robert Rice.

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

State
Glasgow iv/iv
Standard Reference Number
Kennedy 33, Glasgow 39

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Patricia Cornwell
Accession Year
2005
Object Number
2005.283
Division
European and American Art
Contact
am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu
Permissions

The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request.

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of European and American Art at am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu