Provenance

• 1903: in Whistler's studio at his death and bequeathed to his sister-in-law and executrix Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958);
• 1935: given by her to the University of Glasgow.

A note by Miss Birnie Philip dating from about 1901 or 1902 lists 'Green shop. Calais', which may have been this painting, sold to the Paris dealer, Hessele (possibly Charles Hessele (fl. 1892-1914). 1 However, perhaps the sale fell through, for this painting was certainly in Whistler's studio at his death in 1903.

Exhibitions

• 1904: Ouvrages de Peintures, Sculpture, Dessin, Gravure, Architecture et Objets d'Art, 14th exhibition, Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1904 (cat. no. 1316) as ' "Vert et Gris" (Dieppe)'.

There is a 'Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts' label on the back of the frame.

It was not, as has been suggested, exhibited in the Exposition Nationale des Beaux-Arts, 7th exhibition, Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Champs de Mars, Paris, 1897 (cat. no. 1257) as 'Vert et violet': the painting intended for that exhibition was almost certainly Green and Violet: The Evening Walk, Dieppe [YMSM 328], but in fact Whistler withdrew his exhibits at the last minute. 2

The label on the verso actually refers to the 1904 Salon, where ' "Vert et Gris" (Dieppe)' (cat. no. 1316) was described by Pierre Baudin (1863-1917) as 'petite façade de maison dieppoise d'une intimité discrète et accueilante.' 3 In 1904 Miss Birnie Philip noted the size of the painting exhibited in Paris as 48 x 38 cm framed. 4 This is close to the frame of Green and Gold: A Shop in Calais [YMSM 474] and also to A Shop [YMSM 376], and La Blanchisseuse, Dieppe [YMSM 527], and helps to confirm its identity.

It had, incidentally, been suggested that the 1904 exhibit was The Priest's Lodging, Dieppe [YMSM 482], which is admittedly a similar subject, but this is incorrect.

By the terms of Miss Birnie Philip's gift to the University of Glasgow, Green and Gold: A Shop in Calais [YMSM 474] cannot be lent.