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

 

Variations in Blue and Green

Variations in Blue and Green is one of the 'Six Projects' and dates from 1868. 1 The 'Six Projects' comprise Venus [YMSM 082], Symphony in Green and Violet [YMSM 083], Variations in Blue and Green [YMSM 084], Symphony in White and Red [YMSM 085] and Symphony in Blue and Pink [YMSM 086] and The White Symphony: Three Girls [YMSM 087]. This group of paintings was mentioned by William Michael Rossetti (1829-1919) in his diary for 28 July 1868, when he wrote that Whistler was 'doing on a largish scale for Leyland the subject of women and flowers.' 2


                Variations in Blue and Green, Freer Gallery of Art
Variations in Blue and Green, Freer Gallery of Art

It was probably the painting seen and described by Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909) in the spring of 1868 as 'a gathering of women on a balcony.' 3

It was first exhibited Mr Whistler's Exhibition, Flemish Gallery, 48 Pall Mall, London, 1874 (cat. no. 12) as 'Variations in Blue and Green'.

Notes:

1: YMSM 1980 [more] (cat. no. 84).

2: Rossetti 1903 [more] , p. 320.

3: Swinburne, Algernon C., Essays and Studies, London, 1875, p. 360.

Last updated: 23rd November 2020 by Margaret