The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler
M.1421
Cameo
Date
Cameo dates from 1894/1898.
Cameo, Pennell 1908, vol. 2, repr. f.p. 152
It was catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1421).
Images
Cameo, Pennell 1908, vol. 2, repr. f.p. 152
Subject
Description
Cameo, Pennell 1908, vol. 2, repr. f.p. 152
A drawing that was, according to T. R. Way, intended to imitate 'a Greek gem'; it shows two dancing figures, in a circle. 1
Technique
Technique
Cameo, Pennell 1908, vol. 2, repr. f.p. 152
It was drawn, according to Thomas Robert Way (1861-1913), on the verso of a list of lithographs, and was according to George Charles Williamson (1858-1942), 'the 'size of a sheet of notepaper'. 2
History
Provenance
- 1894/1898: probably given by Whistler to Thomas Robert Way (1861-1913), London, who owned it by 1908;
- By 1912: 'cameos' bought from Way 'for a considerable sum' by George Charles Williamson (1858-1942), Burgh House, Hampstead, London;
- 1915: offered to Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919), who refused it.
Further details are in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1421).
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. 1421) as 'Cameo'.
Books on Whistler
- Pennell, Elizabeth Robins, and Joseph Pennell, The Life of James McNeill Whistler, 2 vols, London and Philadelphia, 1908, vol. 1, p.149, vol. 2, repr. f.p. 152 as 'Cameos'.
- Way, Thomas Robert, Memories of James McNeill Whistler, the Artist, London and New York, 1912, repr. f.p. 106 (facsimile).
Notes:
1: Glasgow University Library, Whistler MS W143.
2: T. R. Way to Dr George C. Williamson, GUL Whistler MS W143, Revillon 1955 W/2; Williamson to C. L. Freer, 10 June 1915, Freer Gallery Archives.