Detail from The Canal, Amsterdam, 1889, James McNeill Whistler, The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

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M.1432
Butterflies hatching out of eggs

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1890
Collection: Glasgow University Library
Accession Number: MS Whistler D24
Medium: pencil
Support: cream laid paper
Size: 6 1/8-6 1/4 x 2 9/16-2 3/4" (157-160 x 66-70 mm)
Signature: none
Inscription: v.: 'select etchings/ [Simpson]/ see. Way. Webb -'
print

Butterflies hatching out of eggs

Composition

It is possible this was an idea for an image in Whistler 1890 [more].

Technique

Butterflies hatching out of eggs, Glasgow University Library
Butterflies hatching out of eggs, Glasgow University Library

The tiny sketches are very rough, and several were crossed out. They have no obvious connection with the letter, and may not be by Whistler.

Conservation History

The scrap of paper is irregular in shape, twice folded, and dirty.

Last updated: 21st February 2021 by Margaret