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

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YMSM 301
Variations in Violet

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1884
Collection: Whereabouts Unknown
Accession Number: none
Medium: oil
Support: unknown
Size: unknown
Signature: unknown
Inscription: unknown
Frame: unknown

Variations in Violet

Titles

Only one title is known:

  • 'Variations in Violet' (1884, Dowdeswell). 1
  • 'Variations in Violet' (1980, YMSM). 2

Description

It was described in the Liverpool Mercury on 3 July 1884 as 'a clever flower study'. As such, it is unusual in Whistler's subjects.

However, several flower compositions in pastel and watercolour were shown in the subsequent Dowdeswells' exhibition, including Mother of pearl and silver - Flowers [M.1107], A yellow note - Flowers [M.1108], and Studies of poppies [M.1109].

Notes:

1: 'Notes' - 'Harmonies' - 'Nocturnes', Messrs Dowdeswell, London, 1884 (cat no. 30).

2: YMSM 1980 [more] (cat. no. 301).

Last updated: 11th November 2020 by Margaret