The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

Date

Surf breaking on the beach may date from 1883/1884. The colours may have been affected by light, producing effects not usual in Whistler's work; the butterfly signature might suggest a later date.

Surf breaking on the beach, Private Collection

This work was catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 922).

Images

Subject

Description

Surf breaking on the beach, Private Collection

A beach scene, with surf breaking on a beach.

Technique

Technique

Surf breaking on the beach, Private Collection

Some of the brushwork, particularly the angular brushstrokes on the beach, are untypical of Whistler's usual work

Conservation History

The paper is wove cartridge with a slight pebble texture, but is a little darkened by exposure to light. The colours have been affected by light.

History

Provenance

• Date unknown: 'French Coast' was bought 'forty years ago' by an unknown collector in London (inscription on label).
• 1982: sold at auction, Doyle, New York, 22 September 1982 (lot 104, repr.) as 'Surf breaking on the beach' and bought by a private collector, Florida;
• 1988: sold to Hope Davis, New York art dealer;
• 1991: sold to a private collector.

The early provenance is unknown.

Exhibitions

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. 922) as 'Surf breaking on the beach'.

Catalogues 1906-Present

SALE:

• Doyle, New York, 22 September 1982 (lot 104, repr.) as 'Surf breaking on the beach'.