JAMES ABBOTT MCNEILL WHISTLER (American 1834-1903) "Portrait of Becquet" Etching and drypoint on antique laid paper. Plate: 10 x 7 1/2 inches; Sheet: 12 3/8 x 9 inches. Unsigned. Two labels verso one from the Frederick Keppel & Co (Rare Engravings and Etchings) New York; the other is from Poulsen Galleries Pasadena CA. CONDITION: In overall good condition. When examined out of the frame the sheet is not laid down but is hinged at the top. There is visible mat burn verso from being in a different frame. Mat burn on the front of the image, old brown tape around all four edges of the sheet, it cannot be removed without tearing the sheet. The image is clean, the impression is strong and there are not visible abrasions or tears to the sheet. NOTES: This portrait of Becquet, a musician friend of Whistler's, was etched in Paris during the autumn of 1859. Like most of his portraits from this period, the focus is on the face of the sitter.