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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

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Curtain, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema British, born The Netherlands, Silk, British
Curtain
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
ca. 1885
The Benediction
Multiple artists/makers
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Standing Roman, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema British, born The Netherlands, Pen and gray ink, brush and gray wash
Standing Roman
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1875–90
God Speed, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema British, born The Netherlands, Etching on Japan paper; proof
God Speed
Multiple artists/makers
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Pleading, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema British, born The Netherlands, Etching on chine collé; proof
Pleading
Multiple artists/makers
1878

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