The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

Date

Lady Gordon's daughter dates from 1883/1884.

Lady Gordon's daughter, Glasgow University Library

This is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 994). The entry has been revised.

Images

Subject

Sitter

Lady Gordon's daughter, Glasgow University Library

The identity of Lady Gordon's daughter has not been established. Lady Gordon was apparently a social acquaintance and potential patron.

Technique

Composition

Lady Gordon's daughter, Glasgow University Library

This is a design for a portrait that was not, as far as is known, completed - and possibly not started. Whistler's letter, accompanying this drawing, reads as follows:

'If I really am to do the portrait of the pretty little fair haired daughter, I had better begin at once - as time is very short -

I should like the white dress very pretty - quite a cloud of white muslin - and, in it, sharp little bits of black ribbon combined with pink - reappearing in the hair as a rosette -

If the dress is begun I could soon explain, or we might work it out together if you like -

Shall I come tomorrow evening? or thursday - so that we might explain with the dress maker, who ought to be there - and begin the painting on Saturday or Monday.' ¹

The dress design looks similar to that in Harmony in Grey and Peach Colour y131.

History

Provenance

• 1903: in Whistler's studio at his death and bequeathed to Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958);
• 1955: given to the University of Glasgow.

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. 994) as 'Lady Gordon's daughter'.

Websites

• The Correspondence of James McNeill Whistler, 1855-1903, edited by Margaret F. MacDonald, Patricia de Montfort and Nigel Thorp; including The Correspondence of Anna McNeill Whistler, 1855-1880, edited by Georgia Toutziari. Online edition, University of Glasgow, 2003-2004. GUW #01765.