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

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