James McNeill Whistler

Etching, 1879-80, an exceptionally fine, atmospheric impression of an intermediate state between the third and fourth states (of five), with the diagonal lines on the stern of the ship but not on the cathedral, with a luminous veil of plate tone in the sky and the water, from the First Venice Set, signed with an early, shaded butterfly in pencil and inscribed 'imp', and with the artist's tiny circle device, indicating a select impression, on Japan paper, with margins, in good condition apart from pale light stain

Ex coll. John Caldwell; Harris Whittemore (L. 1384a), sold: Christie's New York, May 9, 1995, lot 193

This etching, along with 50 others, were purchased by Whittemore from Arthur H. Harlow & Co. in 1926 for $42,385.  The price of Nocturne was $6,000, the most expensive in the group.  Harlow's invoice noted that the etchings were from the collection of John Caldwell of Pittsburgh, who from 1882-1907 was major collector of Whistler prints.