Composition

The relevant text of Whistler's letter to Albert Ludovici reads:

'The three little etchings that were done by my wife You will place prettily next to my pictures as shown in drawing

[sketch of pictures upon wall, numbered left to right:] '6 5 4 1. 3 2. 7. 8 9' [and three frames numbered:] '10.'

'1. Rose Corder. 2. Princess. 3. Portrait. 4. Piano. 5. Oval. 6. Thames in ice. 7. Philosopher. 8. Nocturne Valparaiso. 9. Petite Souris (girls head with feather boa) 10. "Etchings by Mrs McNeill Whistler".'

Or [sketch of pictures numbered left to right:] '2 10 7. 8 9.'

Yes this [p. 2] * last way I prefer - and it gives you no trouble - Hang all my pictures on the line - excepting the Holloway (Philosopher) just a tiny bit up to make the line pretty - and perhaps the Petite Souris - also slightly - a matter for your eye - And be sure to see to the proper tilting over - so that can be well seen.' 1

Whistler sent nine oils to the ISSPG in 1898 (cat. nos. 175-183) including, at the last minute, his self-portrait Gold and Brown [YMSM 462]. The sketch includes At the Piano [YMSM 024], The Thames in Ice [YMSM 036]), Arrangement in Brown and Black: Portrait of Miss Rosa Corder [YMSM 203], Grey and Silver: La Petite Souris [YMSM 502], La Princesse du pays de la porcelaine [YMSM 050], Rose and Brown: The Philosopher [YMSM 472], Blue and Coral: The Little Blue Bonnet [YMSM 500] and Nocturne in Blue and Gold: Valparaiso Bay [YMSM 076].

The sketches suggest two arrangements of the panel, showing twelve frames. A photograph of the hanging of Whistler's panel was reproduced by the Pennells, showing that the second of the plans was adopted. 2 The etchings by Beatrice Philip (Mrs E. W. Godwin, Mrs J. McN. Whistler) (1857-1896) are unidentified in the exhibition catalogue. 3

Technique

The same pen and ink was used for the letter (only a detail of which is reproduced here) and the sketches.

Conservation History

The writing paper was folded to fit the envelope, and the folds are somewhat soiled.