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

 

Self-Portrait

Self-Portrait dates from after Whistler arrived in France in November 1855, and probably from 1856 or 1857. 1

Louis Aubrée (fl. 1870-1899) wrote to Whistler from 5 Impasse du Tir, Malakoff, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, that about 1879 his father had inherited from 'Me. H. Aubrée', some works by Whistler ('peintures portraits signés de votre nom') dating from about 1855 or 1856, including 'un portrait de l'auteur peint par lui même.' 2


                Whistler smoking, Private collection
Whistler smoking, Private collection

There is no record of a reply, however, it is possible that the missing self-portrait is Whistler Smoking [YMSM 009].

Notes:

1: YMSM 1980 [more] (cat. no. 8) suggests 'about 1855/1856.'

2: The letter is not entirely clear. GUW #00216.

Last updated: 21st November 2019 by Margaret