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

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Grand Canal, Amsterdam; Nocturne

Provenance

Further details are given in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 944).

Exhibitions

  • 1884: 'Notes' - 'Harmonies' - 'Nocturnes', Messrs Dowdeswell, London, 1884 (cat. no. 18) as 'Grand Canal, Amsterdam, Nocturne'.
  • 1884: Annual Exhibition of Sketches, Pictures & Photography: A Loan Collection of Pictures by Mr Whistler ..., Dublin Sketching Club, Dublin, 1884 (cat. no. 232) as 'Grand Canal: Amsterdam'.
  • 1904: Oil Paintings, Water Colors, Pastels and Drawings: Memorial Exhibition of the Works of Mr. J. McNeill Whistler, Copley Society, Boston, 1904 (cat. no. 106) as 'Nocturne- Grand Canal, Amsterdam'.
  • 1905: Œuvres de James McNeill Whistler, Palais de l'Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1905 (cat. no. 122) as 'Nocturne. Grand Canal. Amsterdam'.

The critic of the Morning Post on 24 May 1884 wrote that it was:

'a "Nocturne" not without picturesque effect, but in the absence of those schuyts, tjalas, &c., which give such bustle and animation to the present scene, the picture can hardly be said to represent a characteristic view. As well might Cheapside be painted without cabs and omnibuses.'

By the terms of Freer's will, this work cannot be lent to another venue.

Last updated: 7th February 2021 by Margaret