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

 

M.1583
Paintings at the ISSPG

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: May 1899
Collection: Glasgow University Library
Accession Number: MS Whistler NB2 (pp. 120-21)
Medium: pencil
Support: pale grey linen-weave wove paper
Size: 150 x 114 mm (5 7/8 x 4 1/2")
Signature: none
Inscription: v.: ‘for Catalogue – 1. “Blue and Silver - from Trouville”. 2. “Brown & Gold. Chelsea Rags - Nocturne” 3. Rose & Brown. La Cigale 4. Purple & Gold – “Phryne the Superbe!-Builder of temples.” – 5. “Violet & Rose – Carmen qui rit” 6. “Rose & Gold Little Miss Sophie” ’, and, in Miss R. B. Philip’s hand, ‘2nd. International exhibition?’

Paintings at the ISSPG

Composition

Paintings at the ISSPG, Glasgow University Library
Paintings at the ISSPG, Glasgow University Library

The drawing shows a tentative arrangement of Whistler’s exhibits at the second show of the ISSPG in May 1899. The paintings are Blue and Silver: Trouville [YMSM 066] (at the top), Nocturne: Black and Gold - Rag Shop, Chelsea [YMSM 204], Rose and Gold: The Little Lady Sophie of Soho [YMSM 504], Rose and Brown: La Cigale [YMSM 495], Violet and Rose: Carmen qui rit [YMSM 506] and Purple and Gold: Phryne the Superb! - Builder of Temples [YMSM 490], which however remained unfinished and was replaced by Brown and Gold: Lillie 'In our Alley!' [YMSM 464].

Conservation History

The paper was once larger and there is a torn edge above the drawing. Below it, and the other way up, is a sketch of a face. The paper was folded across the centre and the fold is discoloured.

Last updated: 7th March 2021 by Margaret