? (1839) Heard Sold at Auction Prices

Etching, Annie Seated,by James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)

Many of us have heard of Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1, one of the most famous paintings done by an American artist outside the United States. It is a rather large oil on canvas, measuring almost 5 feet square (56.8 x 63.9 inches). Employing a palette almost exclusively in shades of grey, the artist's iconic image of an elderly woman in profile, sitting in a rocking chair, was painted in 1871 and was initially rejected by the Royal Academy of Art in London. It was, however, finally accepted at their 104th Exhibition in 1872 and was the last work the artist ever submitted for the Academy's approval, with which he maintained a long standing feud. For more than twenty years, the painting was exhibited throughout Europe at various shows before it was purchased in 1891 by Musee d'Orsay in Paris, where it still resides. It has made numerous exhibition trips to the United States since its purchase, has been universally accepted as representing motherhood, and was honored for its image on a U.S. postage stamp in 1934. The artist, who attended West Point Military Academy for three years before being expelled, spent his early artistic career in Paris, where he prolifically produced etchings, drawing favorable comparison's to Rembrandt's. This etching and drypoint, titled, Annie, commonly called Annie Seated, was created in 1858-1859, and is typical of his early images that focused on family and friends. In it, his niece, Annie Harriet Haden, aged 9-10, sits facing the artist in a chair and due to the subject, is among his most beloved etchings. She was the daughter of his half-sister and brother-in-law, the well known artist and etcher, Francis Seymour Haden. Etching and drypoint, 1858-59, 131 x 94 mm., Kennedy 30 ii/ii, MacDonald 32 iii/iii. This extremely fine impression, printed with a light plate tone on laid paper with good margins, has an image that measures 5 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches. A simple, yet elegant custom museum frame complements the work.. Perhaps this etching with drypoint by James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903), who's most famous painting, commonly called Whistler's Mother, should simply be called, Whistler's Niece. An extremely fine impression in excellent condition set into a custom museum mounting. image 6 x 4.5 inches