Another Look at "Upright Venice" by Whistler

In my June 29 post, I discussed a Bonhams sale of James Abbott McNeill Whistler's superb etching "Upright Venice."  It sold for £9,000, significantly above the high end of its estimate of £3,000 to 5,000.  So far, so good.

Now Swann Galleries is offering the etching in what they identify as the fourth state of four. Different states of an etching are the result of interval changes made to the plate by the artist during the process of printing. No mention was made of any particular state in the July Bonhams sale. Swann gives the edition size as approximately 30, presumably referring only to this fourth state. The published estimate is $30,000 to $50,000, somehow placing the low estimate at approximately twice the strong British sale price achieved in July. 

Is this fourth state really worth so much more? It doesn't appear all that different to me. We'll find out on September 22.

Sale 2254 Lot 134

JAMES A. M. WHISTLER 

Upright Venice.

Etching printed in dark brownish black on cream laid paper, circa 1879-80. 256x179 mm; 10 1/8x7 inches. Fourth state (of 4). Edition of approximately 30. Signed with the butterfly and inscribed "imp." in pencil on the tab, lower left. From Twenty-Six Etchings. A superb, early impression, with selective wiping and warm plate tone. Kennedy 205.

Estimate $30,000-50,000

September 24, 2011:  Sold for $75,000

  

The sale of September 22 at Swann:  http://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=2254+++++134+&refno=++651348&saletype=

My earlier post on the July sale of this fine etching is here. 

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Whistler's "Upright Venice"

Lot No: 33 James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Upright Venice (Kennedy 205) Etching, printed with tone in blackish-brown, on laid, signed with the butterfly monogramme and inscribed "imp" in pencil on a paper tab lower left, from "Twenty-Six Etchings," 1879/80, 256 x 180 mm (10 1/8 x 7 1/8 in) (SH) (unframed) Estimate: £3,000 - 5,000, €3,400 - 5,700, US $4,900 - 8,100

I have always admired the technical virtuosity of Whistler's etching "Upright Venice."  The transition from the immediate foreground seen from above to the distant background with Santa Maria della Salute is a real tour-de-force.  There is actually a small, blank area between the foreground and background, and this print can almost be thought of as two separate though spatially-related images.


Bonhams's catalogue is now online for the July 12 sale of Prints at their New Bond Street location.  The auction listing for "Upright Venice" can be found right here:  http://bonhams.com/eur/auction/18880/lot/33/


July 12, 2011 Update: Sold for £9,000 inclusive of Buyer's Premium. That's a very healthy price indeed!

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