Detail from The Canal, Amsterdam, 1889, James McNeill Whistler, The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

 

Portrait of Charles L. Freer

Provenance

  • 1902: commissioned by Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919) , Detroit;
  • 1903: in Whistler's studio at his death, and bequeathed to his executrix, Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958) , London;
  • 1903: sold by Miss Birnie Philip to C. L. Freer on 1 July 1903 for £500;
  • 1919: bequeathed by C. L. Freer to the Freer Gallery of Art.

Whistler noted that 'Portrait of Mr Freer' was in progress, but not paid for, in 1902. 1

Exhibitions

It was not exhibited in Whistler's lifetime.

By the terms of C. L. Freer's bequest to the Freer Gallery of Art, the painting cannot be lent.

Notes:

1: Whistler to C. L. Freer, memo., GUW #09089.

Last updated: 13th December 2020 by Margaret