The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

Date

A panel of picture frames on a wall was drawn in a letter from Ernest Brown (1881-1962) to Whistler dated 8 November 1902; the sketch is not related to the letter. ¹

A panel of picture frames on a wall, Glasgow University Library, Special Collections

It is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1710).

Images

Subject

Description

A panel of picture frames on a wall, Glasgow University Library, Special Collections

There are seven picture frames, two with subjects barely indicated, possibly a bent figure and a head and shoulders portrait (see Arrangement of paintings at the ISSPG m1539).

Technique

Conservation History

A panel of picture frames on a wall, Glasgow University Library, Special Collections

This was written on the first and fourth sides of the folded sheet of notepaper. The drawing is on the second side, but sideways on. The paper has a very fine, dotty grain, which shows through the broad, soft pencil lines. The letter was also folded into three, sideways, and once vertically.

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 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. 1710) as 'A panel of picture frames on a wall'.

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 #01379.