James Abbott McNeill Whistler. 1834-1903.
Fumette. 1858. Etching. Kennedy 13.iv; Glasgow 12.v. 6 3/8 x 4 1/4 (sheet 7 7/8 x 5 3/4). Glasgow records 74 known impressions. Series: Douze Eaux-Fortes d'après Nature(French set). A rich tonal impression in warm brown/black ink on 'Austin' off-white laid paper. Signed in the plate. Housed in an archival French mat and a dramatic 14 x 11 1/2 x 1-inch gold leaf frame. $3,500.
During 1858-59, Whistler lived with the model, Héloise, in Rue Saint-Sulpice, Paris. Although Whistler had nicknamed her 'Fumette' in imitation of 'Musette', a character in Scènes de la vie de Bohème. A milliner's assistant, artist's model and reciter of poetry, she was known throughout the Latin Quarter as "the tigress" (la tigresse) for her raging voice and dangerous temper. Their relationship was stormy. One day in a fit of anger, she tore up a number of Whistler's drawings. This is one of three portraits he etched of her in 1859.
Please click on the link to the Glasgow online catalogue raisonné Fumette.
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