Whistler, James A. M. LIVERDUN. Etching, 1858. Glascow 13, Kennedy 16. The third final, published state, Signed "Whistler" in the plate, lower left and signed "Imp. Delatre Rue St. Jacques 171" in the plate, lower right. 4 1/4 x 6 1/8 inches, 109 x 156 mm., plus margins of about one inch. Printed on laid paper. In excellent condition. This is one of the etchings made by Whistler on a trip through the Rhineland between August and and October, 1958. It was published in November as part of the portfolio titled "Douze Eaux-fortes Apres Nature," more popularly known as "The French Set." The French set was printed in Paris by Delatre in an edition of 20, and in London in an edition of 50, supervised by Delatre, and with the assistance of Whistler and Haden, thus implying a total edition of 70. The Glascow catalogue states that "some of the plates were reprinted after being bought by Ralph Thomas, Sr. (1803-1862) in 1860," but is silent as to which plates, in what numbers, and of what quality. In excellent condition. The French Set was the first set of prints published by Whistler, and its images are among the first prints he made.
