The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

M.0421
Portrait of Walter Greaves

Portrait of Walter Greaves

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1871/1875
Collection: Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Accession Number: 31.242
Medium: chalk
Support: brown paper
Size: 10 7/8-11 x 6 3/4" (276-280 x 172 mm)
Signature: none
Inscription: 'Port.Wistler-i-e' or 'Port Waller-a-es' or 'Jack Wistler' in unknown hand; collector's mark 'B. M.' (B. B. MacGeorge)

Date

Portrait of Walter Greaves probably dates from 1871/1875. However, it is not absolutely certain that it is by Whistler.

Portrait of Walter Greaves, Rhode Island School Of Design
Portrait of Walter Greaves, Rhode Island School Of Design

It is fully catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 421).

Images

Portrait of Walter Greaves, Rhode Island School Of Design
Portrait of Walter Greaves, Rhode Island School Of Design

Subject

Sitter

Portrait of Walter Greaves, Rhode Island School Of Design
Portrait of Walter Greaves, Rhode Island School Of Design

Probably Walter Greaves (1846-1930). It was originally thought to represent Whistler. 1

Technique

Technique

Portrait of Walter Greaves, Rhode Island School Of Design
Portrait of Walter Greaves, Rhode Island School Of Design

The figure and background are roughly shaded with rough areas of hatching. On the face the shading is rubbed and softened. The technique is similar to Whistler's but the effect is a little weak and it is not absolutely certain that this drawing was by Whistler.

The museum website gives the size as 29.2 x 17.1 cm (11 1/2 x 6 11/16 inches).

History

Provenance

The earlier provenance is not known.

Exhibitions

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

Bibliography

Catalogues Raisonnés

Catalogues 1906-Present

Websites


Notes:

1: Oils, Water-colors, Drawings and Prints by James McNeill Whistler, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1934 (cat. no. 42) as 'Self Portrait'.