James Abbott McNeill Whistler. 1834-1903.

Fumette. 1858. Etching. Kennedy 13.iv; Glasgow 12.v. 6 3/8 x 4 1/4 (sheet 8 x 5 3/8). Glasgow records 74 known impressions. Series: Douze Eaux-Fortes d'après Nature(French set). A very rich impression in warm brown/black ink printed on off white wove paper with a partial Strathmore Lily watermark. Signed in the plate. $2,500.

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 a stormy. One day in a fit of anger, she tore up a number of Whistler's drawings.

Please click on the link to the Glasgow online catalogue raisonné Fumette.

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