Description

Whistler's mother described the sketch:

'Jemie sent me a sketch of mine as the centre, Mr Leylands Portrait and a painting of Velasquez the two on either side of mine covering The wall one whole side of the great dining room called the banquetting [sic] hall, and [said] that the two Portraits bore the comparison with the painting of the famous Spanish Artist to his satisfaction.' 1

Comments

In 1871 Frederick Richards Leyland (1832-1892) wanted to add a painting by Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velázquez (1599-1660) to his collection, but Whistler told Leyland that he could not recommend the portrait El Corregidor de Madrid as 'a fine Velasquez'. 2 However, Charles Augustus Howell (1840?-1890) assured Leyland of its authenticity, and by 1872 it hung in the 'Velasquez Room' in Leyland's London house in Princes Gate. 3 It was sold, after Leyland's death, at Christie, Manson and Woods on 28 May 1892 (lot 109), but its authenticity was disputed.