The Beggars

James Abbott McNeill Whistler

"The Beggars"; 1879/80, G. 190; Kennedy 194; M.191; W.159: etching & drypoint in dark brown ink on antique cream laid paper with overall plate tone, signed with a pencil butterfly on the tab and inscribed "imp;" indicating that Whistler had printed it There are 57 known impressions from 17 states; 12 x 8-1/4" image and sheet. State 17 of 17. It is indicated that Whistler printed this impression, though most of the 17th state was printed by Frederick Goulding in 1903, the year Whistler died. "The Beggers" was originally published in 1880 by The Fine Art Society as part of the 'First Venice Set'. This impression was probably printed around 1894. The plate was cancelled. There are old glue marks in the upper corners of the verso.

The view is through a dark walkway between the Corte de la Carozze and the Campo Santa Margarita. Whistler worked and reworked the plate through 17 states. This impression is richly inked, with the figures in the background bathed in light.

Glasgow comments about this state: "The largest print run is of the final, 17th state. Whistler printed several impressions of the final state on Japanese paper, probably in 1894. However, one of these impressions has two tabs, one inscribed with a butterfly and 'imp.' and one with the note 'pp. 11."; the note suggests this was not printed by Whistler, the butterfly suggests that it was. This is, to say the least, confusing!"