The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

Date

Two paintings of nudes was drawn in a letter from Whistler to Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958) dating from about 12 December 1899; the relevant part of the letter reads:

'... if Ronnie think of coming over, you may as well put his picture in with the others for the Goupils to send - Also a nude figure begun from Lillie Pettigrew - a sort of Eve with an Apple in her hand - send it in her frame - Indeed while you are about it, there are two pictures similar in shape from the Lillie in their new frames - [sketch] may as well both come.' ¹

Two paintings of nudes, Glasgow University Library

It is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1601).

Images

Subject

Description

Two paintings of nudes, Glasgow University Library

Tiny sketches of two upright figure studies.

Sitter

The portraits showed Lilian Pettigrew (b. 1870).

Technique

Composition

Two paintings of nudes, Glasgow University Library

Study of the nude, The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

La Sylphide, The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

The two paintings sketched by Whistler in his letter might be Study of the Nude y493 and La Sylphide y494. ²

History

Provenance

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

Exhibitions

It was not, as far as is known, 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. 1601) as 'Two paintings of nudes'.

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. GUW #04764.