Etching, circa 1861. 130x106 mm; 5 1/8x4 1/8 inches, wide margins. Fifth state (of 5), after cancellation.
With--Manet asssis à gauche, etching, circa 1861. 171x120 mm; 6 3/4x4 3/4 inches, wide margins. Third state (of 3), after cancellation. Both good impressions.
Though often seen as combatants, two titans of artistic innovation during the late 19th century, it is evident that Degas (1834-1917) and Whistler viewed each other with admiration and benefited from each another's experimentations as printmakers. Both did more, perhaps, than any other artists at the time to push the boundaries of etching and lithography. Yet still Degas noted of the notoriously cocky Whistler, 'What a pity, he should paint with his tongue: then he might be a genius.' Meanwhile, Whistler had sent Degas a copy of his 'Ten O'Clock' lecture pamphlet from 1885 with the inscription, 'To Degas: Charming enemy—best friend.' Delteil 14 and 15; Adhémar 17 and 18.
