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

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M.0704
'The Owl' very ill in bed

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1878
Collection: Glasgow University Library
Accession Number: MS Whistler LB11/24
Medium: pen and black ink
Support: cream laid paper
Size: 4 5/16 x 7" (110 x 178 mm)
Signature: r: butterfly, on letter
Inscription: 'So sorry! - Do hope it will be all right tomorrow - ...' [letter]

'The Owl' very ill in bed

Sitter

'The Owl' very ill in bed, Glasgow University Library
'The Owl' very ill in bed, Glasgow University Library

Charles Augustus Howell (1840?-1890) , nicknamed the 'Owl', is the subject, though not exactly the sitter! Howell wrote in his letter-book, underneath this note: 'Myself- "The Owl"- Very ill in bed, with swollen face. C A.H.'

Last updated: 10th March 2021 by Margaret