The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

Date

Feather and flower designs probably dates from 1878, as does the box of lithographic crayons on which the drawing appears. The art dealer Louis Herrman (b. 1810 or 1811) was a partner in the firm of artists' suppliers, Gilby and Herrmann. Whistler was encouraged to make lithographs in 1878 and almost certainly acquired the box at that time.

Feather and flower designs, The Hunterian

It is fully catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 702).

Images

Subject

Description

Feather and flower designs, The Hunterian

On the back of a box are several designs by Whistler of feathers and flowers.

Technique

Composition

Feather and flower designs, The Hunterian

Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room, Freer Gallery of Art

The feather designs hark back to designs for Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room y178 of 1876-1877.

Technique

Feather and flower designs, The Hunterian

See MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 702).

Conservation History

The box still contains several black lithographic chalks for use on grained transfer paper. On the back of the box are several designs by Whistler of feathers and flowers. The plain paper that seals the box had to be cut before it was opened, and the drawings have been done on either side of the slit.

History

Provenance

• 1903: in Whistler's studio at his death and bequeathed to his sister-in-law and executrix, Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958);
• 1958: bequeathed by Miss Philip to the University of Glasgow.

Exhibitions

It has not been exhibited.

Bibliography

Catalogues Raisonnés

• MacDonald, Margaret F., James McNeill Whistler. Drawings, Pastels and Watercolours. A Catalogue Raisonné, New Haven and London, 1995 (cat. no. 702) as 'Feather and flower designs'.

Websites

• The Hunterian website at http://collections.gla.ac.uk.