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

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r.: Figures, glasses and pottery; v.: Head, coffee-pots and glassware

Technique

r.: B. and J. McN. Whistler, Figures, glasses and pottery, The Hunterian
r.: B. and J. McN. Whistler, Figures, glasses and pottery, The Hunterian

The two pencil figures, apparently sketched from life, are much like J. McN. Whistler's work. They may relate to theatrical performances such as Lady Archibald Campbell's productions of plays at Coombe, in which both the Godwins and Whistler were involved.

 v.: B. Whistler, Head, coffee-pots and glassware, The Hunterian
v.: B. Whistler, Head, coffee-pots and glassware, The Hunterian

The Whistlers collected oriental porcelain and georgian silver. The silver was engraved with J. McN. Whistler's butterfly. Beatrice Philip (Mrs E. W. Godwin, Mrs J. McN. Whistler) (1857-1896) envisaged glassware incorporating the butterfly, with the tail twining round the stem. This is one of several such designs now in Glasgow; Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958) told Harold Wright (1885-1961) that one was by her sister, Beatrice.

v.: Beatrice Whistler,  Head, coffee-pots and glassware, The Hunterian
v.: Beatrice Whistler, Head, coffee-pots and glassware, The Hunterian

It is possible that the head and the designs for pottery and glass (including the butterflies!) are by Beatrice Philip (Mrs E. W. Godwin, Mrs J. McN. Whistler) (1857-1896). The shading is more regular than J. McN. Whistler's, and the outlines less wiry and flowing.

Last updated: 8th December 2020 by Margaret