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

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M.1361
Design for an album for 'Nocturnes, Marines and Chevalet Pieces'

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1893
Collection: Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Accession Number: E. R. & J. Pennell Collection
Medium: pen and black ink
Support: cream laid paper with watermark 'IMPERIAL CENTURY' and crown
Size: 8 13/16 x 5 13/16" (224 x 147 mm)
Signature: 'J McN Whistler' on letter
Inscription: letter from Whistler to D. C. Thomson

Design for an album for 'Nocturnes, Marines and Chevalet Pieces'

Design for an album for 'Nocturnes, Marines and Chevalet Pieces' was drawn in a letter from Whistler to David Croal Thomson (1855-1930), stamped on receipt, 'Successors to Boussod Valadon, 13 May 1893'.

Design for an album for 'Nocturnes, Marines and Chevalet Pieces', Library of Congress
Design for an album for 'Nocturnes, Marines and Chevalet Pieces', Library of Congress

The relevant part of the letter reads:

'Then about the portfolio ... I am afraid I am rather disappointed. ...

As to the cover - I think it a little flimsy - in any case I would have a yellow ribbon on the two end flaps so that they at least may tie together. [sketch of Album] That may do something towards strengthening the whole -

Then the title and contents ought not to be on one folded sheet - Each should be separate - I would cut the present sheet in two.' [sketch of two separate pages] 1

It is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1361).

Notes:

1: [12 May 1893], GUW #08233.

Last updated: 6th March 2021 by Margaret