Composition

The Pennells wrote that it was easy in Cremorne Gardens 'to put down what he wanted under the lamps' in black and white chalk drawings. 1 The Greaves brothers – Henry Greaves (1843-1904) and Walter Greaves (1846-1930) – told the Pennells that Whistler 'never tried to use colour at night or at Cremorne Gardens, but made notes on brown paper in black and white chalk.' 2

Curiously though, none have survived, except for one Nocturne [M.0570], which could be by Whistler or by Walter Greaves himself. Greaves painted several nocturnes of Cremorne, three of which were exhibited in London at the Goupil Gallery in 1911 (cat. nos. 29, 34, 67) including one showing Fireworks (cat. no. 67). 3

One oil by Greaves, Fireworks, Cremorne Gardens, reproduced above, showing illuminated buildings and groups of figures watching, is in the Hunterian.

Technique

Cremorne, No. 1 [YMSM 163] is painted on a fine canvas of irregular thread. The colours of the figures in the foreground still retain their clarity but the background is extremely dark.

Conservation History

Unknown. Earlier photographs suggest that the colour balance of the painting may have changed.

Frame

ca 1877: Flat Whistler frame, painted frieze with Foord & Dickinson label ('FOORD & DICKINSON, Carvers & Gilders, / 90, Wardour Street. W.')

The panel is painted with a very rough seigaha pattern. The style of painted decoration on the frame of Cremorne, No. 1 [YMSM 163] is unlike that on any other of Whistler's decorated frames, although it would seem to be a freer version of the more symmetrical seigaha patterning that Whistler introduced in the early to mid-1870's. It was probably not painted by Whistler.