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The First Whisper of Love

1876
Not on view
A young Roman man whispers into the ear of a young woman and clasps her hand. He sits on the edge of an elaborately carved table on which rests a flowering plant. Behind the couple is a cushioned bench and decorative inlaid panel. Based on an oil painting dated September 29, 1870 that the artist began in Brussels and completed after he settled in England (Opus LXXXII), commissioned by Ernest Gambart and first exhibited at the International Exhibition, London in 1872 (no.486).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The First Whisper of Love
  • Artist: After Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (British (born The Netherlands), Dronrijp 1836–1912 Wiesbaden)
  • Etcher: Leopold Löwenstam (Dutch, Düsseldorf 1842–1898 Three Bridges, Sussex)
  • Publisher: Pilgeram & Lefèvre (London)
  • Publisher: The Printsellers' Association, London (British, established 1847)
  • Date: 1876
  • Medium: Etching on chine collé; proof
  • Dimensions: plate: 18 7/16 x 14 in. (46.8 x 35.6 cm)
    sheet: 19 1/4 x 15 5/16 in. (48.9 x 38.9 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1963
  • Object Number: 63.648.25
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
Settee, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema  British, born The Netherlands, Ebony, box and sandalwood, cedar, ivory inlay, incrustations of mother-of-pearl and brass, British, London
Designer Designed by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
Manufacturer Johnstone Norman & Co., London
ca. 1885
On the Wharfe, Bolton Abbey, William Callow  British, Watercolor
William Callow
September 30, 1858
Pleading, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema  British, born The Netherlands, Etching on chine collé; proof
After Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
Etcher Leopold Löwenstam
Publisher Pilgeram & Lefèvre
1878
Welcome Footsteps (Well-known Footsteps), Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema  British, born The Netherlands, Engraving on chine collé
After Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
Engraver Leopold Löwenstam
Publisher Arthur Tooth & Sons
May 7, 1883
Stroh Violin, George Evans & Co.  English, Mahogany and aluminum, British
George Evans & Co.
first quarter 20th century

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