The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler
M.1708
A design for wall decoration in 72 Cheyne Walk
Date
A design for wall decoration in 72 Cheyne Walk probably dates from 1902. In April 1902 Whistler leased 72 Cheyne Walk from the architect Charles Robert Ashbee (1863-1942) and lived there until his death in 1903.
A design for wall decoration in 72 Cheyne Walk, The Hunterian, Glasgow
It is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1708).
Images
A design for wall decoration in 72 Cheyne Walk, The Hunterian, Glasgow
Designs for wall decorations: r.: Designs for 2 Lindsey Row; r. and v.: Whistler's House, 2 Lindsey Row, The Hunterian, Glasgow
Sketch design for decoration of passage of 96 Cheyne Walk, The Hunterian, Glasgow
Subject
Description
A design for wall decoration in 72 Cheyne Walk, The Hunterian, Glasgow
Fully rigged sailing ships are seen through a row of tall arches.
Site
Whistler lived at 72 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, London, from April 1902 until his death.
Technique
Composition
A design for wall decoration in 72 Cheyne Walk, The Hunterian, Glasgow
Designs for wall decorations: r.: Designs for 2 Lindsey Row; r. and v.: Whistler's House, 2 Lindsey Row, The Hunterian, Glasgow
Sketch design for decoration of passage of 96 Cheyne Walk, The Hunterian, Glasgow
The decorative scheme echoes designs of 30 years earlier (Designs for wall decorations: r.: Designs for 2 Lindsey Row; r. and v.: Whistler's House, 2 Lindsey Row m0659 and Sketch design for decoration of passage of 96 Cheyne Walk m0660) but he was too ill to carry it out.
Technique
The paper has short fibres and a rough knobbly texture, with bits of wood-stalk visible, and a slight diagonal grain. There has been some paper loss at the upper edge. The only pinhole visible is at the lower edge. See also MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1708).
History
Provenance
- 1903: in Whistler’s studio at his death and bequeathed to his ward and executrix, Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958);
- 1935: given by Miss Birnie Philip to the University of Glasgow.
Exhibitions
It was not exhibited in Whistler's lifetime.
By the terms of Miss Birnie Philip's gift to the University of Glasgow, it is not lendable.
Bibliography
Catalogues Raisonnés
- MacDonald, Margaret F., James McNeill Whistler. Drawings, Pastels and Watercolours. A Catalogue Raisonné, New Haven and London, 1995 (cat. no. 1708) as 'A design for wall decoration in 72 Cheyne Walk'.
Books on Whistler
- Bendix, Deanna Marohn, Diabolical Designs: Paintings, Interiors, and Exhibitions of James McNeill Whistler, Washington and London, 1995.
Catalogues 1906-Present
- MacDonald, Margaret F., Whistler Pastels and Related Works in the Hunterian Art Gallery, Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow, 1984 (cat. no. 107).
Websites
- The Hunterian, University of Glasgow website at http://collections.gla.ac.uk.