The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

Date

'Christmas comes but once a year.' (Thomas Wilson's autograph book, p. 33) dates from July or August 1852. The book belonged to a fellow cadet at West Point, Thomas Wilson (1832-1901) (see Head (Thomas Wilson's autograph book, p. 3) m0112).

'Christmas comes but once a year.' (Thomas Wilson's autograph book, p. 33), USMA

It is fully catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 114).

Images

Subject

Description

'Christmas comes but once a year.' (Thomas Wilson's autograph book, p. 33), USMA

Three cadets round a table, arms raised, each holding a glass. There is a bottle and candle on the table at right.

Technique

Technique

'Christmas comes but once a year.' (Thomas Wilson's autograph book, p. 33), USMA

See MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 114).

Conservation History

This is among drawings inserted in an album, which was rebound by James MacDonald Co., NY, in 1972.

In the album there are drawings by several cadets, mostly from the class of 1853, including the owner, Thomas Wilson (1832-1901).

History

Provenance

• 1852: drawn in a book belonging to Thomas Wilson (1832-1901);
• 1901: passed by family descent to a private owner;
• 1924: offered for sale through Switzler, Ringer, Switzer and Shackleford, Omaha, Nebraska, to Joseph Pennell (1860-1926).
• By 1972: private collector, Long Island;
• 1972: bought by the United States Military Academy, West Point on 12 July 1972, with a grant from the West Point Fund.

For further details see MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 112).

Exhibitions

As far as is known, it was not exhibited in Whistler's lifetime.

Bibliography

Catalogues Raisonnés

• MacDonald, Margaret F., James McNeill Whistler. Drawings, Pastels and Watercolours. A Catalogue Raisonné, New Haven and London, 1995 (cat. no. 114) as 'Christmas comes but once a year.' (Thomas Wilson's autograph book, p. 33).