53 WHISTLER ETCHINGS ARE ACQUIRED BY MUSEUM

The County Museum of Art has acquired 53 etchings by James Abbott McNeill Whistler, bringing to 77 the number of works by the 19th-Century expatriate artist in its collection.

Julius and Anita Zelman donated the etchings, many of which were displayed at the museum over the summer before a national tour.

The works depict travels by the American artist who lived abroad most of his career. His first major group of prints, created in 1858, is titled the “French Set” or “Twelve Etchings After Nature.” This was followed by a series of 16 etchings on scenes of the Thames River in London

“We now have one of finest collections of Whistler graphics anywhere in country--indeed, in the world,” said Dr. Earl Powell III, the museum’s director.