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

 

M.1537
r.: Designs for monogram for ISSPG ; v.: Tracing of monogram for ISSPG

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1898/1899
Collection: Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Accession Number: 2006685411
Medium: pencil, pen and black ink
Support: cream laid paper, partial watermark '898'
Size: 4 7/16 x 3 7/16" (112 x 88 mm)
Signature: none
Inscription: r.: 'Take your choice/ I mark what perhaps I/ prefer *' by Whistler, and inscribed, probably by Pennell 'this'; v.: inscribed, as signed, 'return to J Pennell', and '… to have the pleasure / of studying with you/ Very sincerely yours/ E. R. Pennell'

r.: Designs for monogram for ISSPG ; v.: Tracing of monogram for ISSPG

Composition

International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, catalogue cover, 1901
International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, catalogue cover, 1901

The selected design was used on the brown paper cover of the catalogue for 2nd Exhibition, Pictures, Drawings, Prints and Sculptures, International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, London, 1899 and subsequent exhibitions.

Technique

r.: Designs for monogram for ISSPG, Library Of Congress
r.: Designs for monogram for ISSPG, Library Of Congress

There are pin holes at the corners and centre top, and a patch of pencil shading on the verso used when tracing Whistler's design for a monogram. Three of the eight designs were starred, the right hand one (second from the top, upper right) being traced and used on the exhibition catalogues.

An associated piece of paper bears instructions to the printer: '1 col/ 1 block/ D.C./ Sat./ Do not mask' and on v.: '51545/D.C./Sat.'

Conservation History

The paper has an orange tone, and the top edge has been torn unevenly.

Last updated: 7th March 2021 by Margaret