Composition

Four butterflies, Freer Gallery of Art

These are designs for Whistler 1890 [more] .

The upper left butterfly was reproduced on p. 261 after alterations were made to the first draft. It was used at the end of 'Et tu, Brute!', in which Whistler remonstrated with Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909) over the latter's review of the 'Ten o'clock lecture'. Alterations were made to the butterfly, to make it more symmetrical.

The one on the right, with its trefoil field and narrow wings, was proved but not used. The lower left butterfly was published on the title page, including the alterations made on the drawing (proofs are in GUL Whistler MS W805). The one at lower right was crossed out and not used.