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

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M.0706
r. and v.: Design for the cover of 'Whistler v. Ruskin: Art and Art Critics'

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1878
Collection: Private Collection
Accession Number: none
Medium: pencil, pen, black ink and wash
Support: brown paper
Size: 7 1/2 x 5 1/2" (196 x 139 mm)
Signature: r. and v.: butterfly
Inscription: 'Whistler v Ruskin // J. A. McN. Whistler/ The White House/ Chelsea - // Dec. 24. 1878.'

r. and v.: Design for the cover of 'Whistler v. Ruskin: Art and Art Critics'

Composition

Design for the cover of 'Whistler v. Ruskin: Art and Art Critics', Private Collection
Design for the cover of 'Whistler v. Ruskin: Art and Art Critics', Private Collection

This is one of several designs for the cover of Whistler v. Ruskin: Art and Art Critics. 1 According to Thomas Robert Way (1861-1913), of the lithographic firm that published the pamphlet,

'[Whistler] had an idea for a fancy cover, and made many sketches for the purpose. One was a quite elaborate nocturne, which he drew in ink on brown paper ... He evidently intended to make a lithograph himself, but questions of cost probably interfered, and finally type was used on brown paper.' 2

Notes:

1: Whistler 1878 A [more] .

2: Way 1912 [more] , p. 33.

Last updated: 26th May 2021 by Margaret