The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Life of James McNeill Whistler

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Title: The Life of James McNeill Whistler

Author: Elizabeth Robins Pennell

Joseph Pennell

Release date: November 16, 2014 [eBook #47363]
Most recently updated: October 24, 2024

Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF JAMES MCNEILL WHISTLER ***


Transcriber's Notes

Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible. The last two illustrations, Whistler's Grave in Chiswick Cemetery adjoining Chiswick Churchyard and Monument in Whistler's Memory at the United States Military Academy at West Point are not included in the original "List of Illustrations". These have been included. The footnotes have been moved to the end of their relevant chapters. In the original book the Illustrations are indexed as "Facing Page nnn". These have been changed to refer to the nearest page.

The cover has been created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.

THE LIFE OF JAMES
McNEILL WHISTLER


PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST Fr.(By Himself)

PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST
Fr. (By Himself)


THE LIFE OF JAMES
McNEILL WHISTLER

BY
E. R. and J. PENNELL

NEW AND REVISED EDITION THE SIXTH

ILLUSTRATED

PHILADELPHIA
J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN


Printed in Great Britain


PREFACE TO THE SIXTH EDITION

The Fifth Edition of our book was exhausted before war was declared, and not until peace was declared was it thought by the publishers advisable to issue this Sixth Edition, which has been revised and brought up to date, and contains new material and new illustrations. All the while we have been collecting and verifying documents, and all the while we have received suggestions, facts, and inquiries. The book has been published in French, but for the war it would have been long since translated into other languages. During these years of needless, senseless, useless horrors, the name and fame of Whistler have steadily grown. His works have served as propaganda—what a comment!—even the portrait of his mother has been used as a poster by the British, and his own portrait has obtained the glory of appearing as a tribute to the power of advertising. All the while, endless stories, most of them garbled from this book, when not invented, have gone from end to end of the world. Exhibitions of his paintings and prints and of documents relating to him have been held. Galleries and private collectors have acquired what little of his work was left to acquire. Even the National Gallery of Great Britain has accepted three of his pictures from the late Arthur Studd though Whistler had distinctly said that he did not wish to be represented in any English gallery. Dealers have found in his art inexhaustible attraction and asset for shows. Mr. Freer's collection in the National Museum, Washington, is about to open. Our collection is being installed in the Library of Congress, also in Washington—though it was damaged by unpardonable and undiscoverable carelessness in transit, caused by this cursed war. Washington must soon be visited to see Whistler as Madrid is to see Velasquez. All the while, too, the financial appreciation of Whistler—the standard by which art and everything is judged to-day—has vastly increased, the Mrs. Leyland and Lady Meux selling for more hundreds of thousands than he asked hundreds of dollars for. His etchings and lithographs have so improved in value in the collector's estimation that persons whom Whistler did everything to help in forming their collections have considered them too valuable to keep, and so have parted with them at an enormous rise over even his "posthumous prices." What would he have thought of all this, he who so carefully selected the prints "kindly lent their owners?"

Whistler, fortunately, has escaped the indignity of commercial popularity, but he has come into his own; his name and his fame are world-wide, he is with the immortals; we said so in the beginning, and time has proved us right. There have been no books of importance issued about him of late years, though contemporary authors who spurned him during his life now claim his acquaintance and add a paragraph or a page, mostly from our book, as a bait to sell their own. Miss Philip delays, or awaits the lapse of twenty years, before issuing the letters. When she does print them—if properly edited—they will be a great addition to the knowledge of Whistler. Mr. Freer announces also a life which is to supersede or expose us, or Whistler. Still they tarry, but anything they may issue will add to the success and, we trust, the completeness of the authorized Life of Whistler. We should be grateful for any further information, suggestions, or corrections to that end from any of our readers.

We wish to thank, for the permission to reproduce paintings and drawings, to consult letters and documents, Mrs. A. J. Cassatt, Mr. Mitchell Kennerley, Mr. Roland Knvedler, Messrs. Keppel and Company, Mr. George J. C. Grasberger, Mr. A. E. Gallatin, Mr. R. C. Frick, Mr. West, Colonel Hughes, Mr. E. G. Kennedy, The Metropolitan Museum of New York, The Maryland Institute, the Librarian of Congress, Dr. Putnam, and Dr. Koch, Mr. Roberts, and Miss Wright, also of the Library of Congress.

Joseph Pennell
Elizabeth Robins Pennell

Washington, July 4, 1919


PUBLISHER'S NOTE TO THE FIFTH EDITION

Mr. and Mrs. Pennell's authorised Life of James McNeill Whistler appeared in two volumes in October 1908, and has had to be reprinted in that form three times since then. Its sale even in that comparatively expensive form has been an unexpectedly large one, proving without doubt that interest in Whistler's life is alive and growing. During the three years since its first publication much new material has come into the hands of the authors, and a complete revision of the book has therefore become necessary. The present volume is, to all intents and purposes, a new one. Many of the older illustrations in the earlier editions have been superseded by new ones, a number of which are reproduced for the first time.

For the new material included in this edition the authors and the publisher are indebted to friends and numerous sympathetic correspondents, and they wish to express their indebtedness especially to Mr. John W. Beatty, Director of the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh; Mr. E. D. Brooks; Mr. Clifford Gore Chambers; Mr. E. T. Cook; Mr. Leon Dabo; Mr. Frederick Dielmann; Messrs. Dowdeswell; M. Théodore Duret; Mr. A. J. Eddy; Mrs. Wickham Flower; Right Hon. Jonathan Hogg; Mr. H. S. Hubbell; Mr. Will H. Low; Mr. Burton Mansfield; Judge Parry; Mr. H. Reinhardt; Mr. H. S. Ridings; Mr. Albert Rouiller; Miss Alice Rouiller; Mr. William Scott; M. Ströhlen; Mr. Ross Turner; Mr. C. F. G. Turner; Mr. C. Howard Walker; Mr. J. H. Wrenn.


CONTENTS

  Page
CHAPTER I. THE WHISTLER FAMILY. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN THIRTY-FOUR TO EIGHTEEN FORTY-THREE 1
Whistler's Ancestors—His Parents—Birth—Early Years
CHAPTER II. IN RUSSIA. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN FORTY-THREE TO EIGHTEEN FORTY-NINE 6
Life in Russia—Schooldays—Begins his Art Studies in the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts—Death of Major Whistler—Return to America
CHAPTER III. SCHOOLDAYS IN POMFRET. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN FORTY-NINE TO EIGHTEEN FIFTY-ONE 18
The Pomfret School and Schoolmates—Early drawings
CHAPTER IV. WEST POINT. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN FIFTY-ONE TO EIGHTEEN FIFTY-FOUR 20
Whistler as Cadet in the U.S. Military AcademyHis Studies—Failure—Stories told of him—His Estimate of West Point
CHAPTER V. THE COAST SURVEY. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN FIFTY-FOUR AND EIGHTEEN FIFTY-FIVE 27
Life in Washington—Obtains Position as Draughtsman in the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey—First Plates—Resignation—Starts for Paris
CHAPTER VI. STUDENT DAYS IN THE LATIN QUARTER. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN FIFTY-FIVE TO EIGHTEEN FIFTY-NINE 33
Arrival in Paris—Enters as Student at Gleyre'sHis Fellow Students—Adventures—Journey to Alsace
CHAPTER VII. WORKING DAYS IN THE LATIN QUARTER. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN FIFTY-FIVE TO EIGHTEEN FIFTY-NINE CONTINUED 46
His Studies—Work at the LouvreVisit to Art Treasures Exhibition at Manchester—Etchings—PaintingsRejection at the Salon and Exhibition in Bonvin's Studio
CHAPTER VIII. THE BEGINNINGS IN LONDON. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN FIFTY-NINE TO EIGHTEEN SIXTY-THREE 53
In London with the Hadens—First Appearance at Royal Academy—Kindness to French Fellow Students—Shares Studio with Du Maurier—Gaieties—Mr. Arthur Severn's Reminiscences—Work on the River—JoEtchings Published by Mr. Edmund Thomas
CHAPTER IX. THE BEGINNINGS IN LONDON. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN FIFTY-NINE TO EIGHTEEN SIXTY-THREE CONTINUED 63
Paintings and Exhibitions—The Music Room—Visits to Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Edwards—Summer in Brittany—"The White Girl"—Berners Street Gallery—Baudelaire on his Etchings—Illustrations—Salon des Refuses—First Gold Medal
CHAPTER X. CHELSEA DAYS. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN SIXTY-THREE TO EIGHTEEN SIXTY-SIX 76
Settles with his Mother at No. 7 Lindsey Row, Chelsea—The Greaves Family—The Limerston Street Studio and Mr. J. E. Christie—Rossetti—The Tudor House Circle, Swinburne, Meredith, Frederick Sandys, Howell—"Blue and White"—W. M. Rossetti's Reminiscences
CHAPTER XI. CHELSEA DAYS. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN SIXTY-THREE TO EIGHTEEN SIXTY-FOUR CONTINUED 86
The Japanese Pictures—"The Princesse du Pays de la Porcelaine" —Japanese Influence—"The Little White Girl"—Fantin's "Hommage à Delacroix"—"The Toast"—Arrival in London of Dr. Whistler—At Trouville with Courbet—Journey to Valparaiso
CHAPTER XII. CHELSEA DAYS CONTINUED. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN SIXTY-SIX TO EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-TWO 97
Return to London—Removal to No. 2 Lindsey RowThe House and its Decorations—The 1867 Exhibition in ParisAffair at the Burlington Fine Arts Club—"Symphony in White, No. III." the First Picture Exhibited as a Symphony—Theories—Development—DiscouragementMr. Fred Jameson's Reminiscences—Decoration—Hamerton's "Etching and Etchers"—Etchings and Dry-points—Exhibitions—Rejection at the Royal Academy—First Exhibition of Picture as a Nocturne—Relations to the Royal Academy
CHAPTER XIII. NOCTURNES. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-TWO TO EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-EIGHT 112
Nocturnes—Extent of Debt to JapaneseMethods and Materials—Subjects—Origin of Title—His Explanation in "The Gentle Art"
CHAPTER XIV. PORTRAITS. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-ONE TO EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-FOUR 118
The Mother"—"Carlyle"—"Miss Alexander" —Mr. and Mrs. Leyland—Mrs. Louis Huth—Show of his own Work in Pall MallIndignation roused by his Titles
CHAPTER XV.THE OPEN DOOR. THE YEAR EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-FOUR AND AFTER 128
Whistler's Gaiety and Hospitality—His Amusement in SocietyHis Dinners and Sunday Breakfasts—Reminiscences of his Entertainments Talk—Clubs—Restaurants—The Theatre
CHAPTER XVI. THE PEACOCK ROOM. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-FOUR TO EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-SEVEN 143
Work at Exhibitions and in the Studio—Portrait of Irving— "Rosa Corder"—"The Fur Jacket"—"Connie Gilchrist"—The Peacock Room—Mr. Leyland's House in Prince's Gate—Its Decoration—Whistler's Scheme for the Dining-room and its Development—The Work Finished—Quarrel with Leyland
CHAPTER XVII. THE GROSVENOR GALLERY. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-SEVEN AND EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-EIGHT 152
Sir Coutt Lindsay's New Gallery—First Exhibition at the GrosvenorWhistler's Contributions—Ruskin's Criticism of "The Falling Rocket" in "Fors Clavigera"—Whistler sues him for Libel—Etchings—LithographsDrawings of Blue and White for Sir Henry Thompson's Catalogue—Caricatures—Sends a Second Time to the Grosvenor
CHAPTER XVIII. THE WHITE HOUSE. THE YEAR EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-EIGHT 159
Paris Universal Exhibition of 1878—Harmony in Yellow and GoldWhistler as Decorator—Lady Archibald Campbell's Appreciation—Plan for Opening an Atelier for Students—No. 2 Lindsey Row given up—E. W. Godwin builds the White House for him—His Mother's Health—She leaves him for Hastings—Money Difficulties—Mezzotints of the "Carlyle" and Rosa Corder"
CHAPTER XIX. THE TRIAL. THE YEAR EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-EIGHT 166
Whistler's Reasons for the Action against RuskinHis Position and Ruskin's compared—Refusal of Artists to support WhistlerTrial in the Exchequer Chamber, Westminster—Verdict—The General CriticismMr. T. Armstrong and Mr. Arthur Severn on the Trial—Collection to pay Ruskin's Expenses—Failure to raise one for Whistler—"Whistler v. Ruskin"
CHAPTER XX. BANKRUPTCY. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-EIGHT AND EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-NINE 181
Whistler again at the Grosvenor—His CriticsHis Financial Embarrassments—His Manner of meeting them—Declared Bankrupt— "The Gold Scab"—Commission from the Fine Art Society for the Venetian EtchingsStarts for Venice—The Sale of the White House—Sale of Blue and White, Pictures, Prints, &c., at Sotheby's
CHAPTER XXI. VENICE. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-NINE AND EIGHTEEN-EIGHTY 189
Whistler's Arrival in Venice—First Impressions—Disappointments and Difficulties—His Friends in Venice and their Memories of him—Duveneck and his "Boys"—Whistler's Hard Work—His Lodgings and Restaurants—The Cafés—Stories told of him—Reminiscences of Mr. Harper Pennington and Mr. Ralph Curtis
CHAPTER XXII. VENICE. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-NINE AND EIGHTEEN EIGHTY CONTINUED 196
His Work in Venice—Pastels and his Methods—Etchings— Printing—Japanese Method of Drawing—Water-colours and Paintings
CHAPTER XXIII. BACK IN LONDON. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY AND EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-ONE 202
Return to London and Sudden Appearance at Fine Art Society's—Prints Venice Plates—Exhibition of "The Twelve" at the Fine Art Society's—Exhibition of Venice Pastels—Decoration of Gallery—Bewilderment of Critics and Public—Death of his Mother—"The Piper Papers"—The Portrait of his Mother exhibited in Philadelphia—Etchings begin to be shown in America
CHAPTER XXIV. THE JOY OF LIFE. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-ONE TO EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-FOUR 210
Takes a Studio at No. 13 Tite Street—His "Joyousness"—Letters to the Press—His "Amazing" Costumes—Portrait of Lady Meux—His Other Sitters—Mrs. Marzetti's Account of the Painting of "The Blue Girl"—Lady Archibald Campbell's Reminiscences of the Sittings for her Portrait—Portrait of M. Duret—"The Paddon Papers"—Second Exhibition of Venice Etchings at the Fine Art Society's—Excitement it created—The "Carlyle" at Edinburgh—Proposal to buy it for Scottish National Portrait Gallery—Comes to nothing—Whistler involved in a Church Congress
CHAPTER XXV. AMONG FRIENDS. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-ONE TO EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-SEVEN 222
Joseph Pennell meets Whistler—First Impressions—The "Sarasate"— Sir Seymour Haden
CHAPTER XXVI. AMONG FRIENDS. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-ONE TO EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-SEVEN CONTINUED 225
Whistler's Friends in Tite Street— Sir Rennell Rodd's Reminiscences—Oscar Wilde—Reasons for the Friendship and for its short Duration—The Followers—Their Devotion and their Absurdities— Mr. Harper Pennington's Reminiscences of Whistler in London
CHAPTER XXVII. THE STUDIO IN THE FULHAM ROAD. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-FIVE TO EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-SEVEN 233
Whistler moves to the Fulham Road—Description of the new Studio— Pictures in Progress—Mr. William M. Chase, his Portrait and his Reminiscences—Plans to visit America
CHAPTER XXVIII. THE "TEN O'CLOCK." THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-FOUR TO EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-EIGHT 239
Whistler writes the "Ten O'Clock"—Proposes to publish it as Article— Then to deliver it as Lecture in Ireland—Exhibition of his Work in Dublin—Arranges with Mrs. D'Oyly Carte for Lecture in London—The "Ten O'Clock" given at Prince's Hall—The Audience—The Critics—Analysis of the "Ten O'Clock"—Its Delivery in Other Places—Its Publication—Swinburne's Criticism
CHAPTER XXIX. THE BRITISH ARTISTS. THE RISE.
THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-FOUR TO EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-SIX
250
Approached by the British Artists—Elected a Member of the Society— His Position as Artist at this Period and the Position of the Society—Reasons for the Invitation and his Acceptance—His Interest in the Society—His Contributions to its Exhibitions—The Graham Sale—Publication of Twenty-Six Etchings by Dowdeswell's—Exhibition of Notes, Harmonies Nocturnes, at Dowdeswell's—Elected President of the British Artists
CHAPTER XXX. THE BRITISH ARTISTS. THE FALL. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-SIX TO EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-EIGHT 262
Whistler as President—His Decoration of the Gallery and Hanging of Pictures—Indignation by Members—Visit of the Prince of Wales—Growing Dissatisfaction in the Society—Jubilee of Queen Victoria—Whistler's Congratulatory Address—British Artists made a Royal Society—Dissatisfaction becomes Open Warfare—The Crisis—Wyke Bayliss elected President—Whistler's Resignation
CHAPTER XXXI. MARRIAGE. THE YEAR EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-EIGHT 271
Whistler's Wedding—Reception at the Tower House—His Wife—His Devotion—Influence of Marriage
CHAPTER XXXII. THE WORK OF THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY TO EIGHTEEN NINETY-TWO 274
Water-colours—Etchings, Belgian and Dutch—Exhibition of Dutch Etchings—Lithographs
CHAPTER XXXIII. HONOURS. EXHIBITIONS. NEW INTERESTS. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-NINE TO EIGHTEEN NINETY-ONE 279
Honours from Paris, Munich, and Amsterdam—Dinner to Whistler—Paris Universal Exhibition of 1889—Exhibition of Whistler's Work in Queen Square—Moves to No. 21 Cheyne Walk—M. Harry's Impressions of the House—Portrait of the Comte de Montesquiou—W. E. Henley and "National Observer"—New Friends
CHAPTER XXXIV. "THE GENTLE ART." THE YEAR EIGHTEEN NINETY 288
Whistler Collects his Letters and Writings—Work begun by Mr. Sheridan Ford—Mr. J. McLure Hamilton's Account—Action at Antwerp to suppress Ford's Edition—Mr. Heinemann publishes "The Gentle Art" for Whistler—Summary of the Book—Period of unimportant Quarrels
CHAPTER XXXV. THE TURN OF THE TIDE. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-ONE AND EIGHTEEN NINETY-TWO 298
The "Carlyle" bought by the Glasgow Corporation—"The Mother" bought for the Luxembourg—The Exhibition at the Goupil Gallery—Mr. D. Croal Thomson's Account—Success of the Exhibition—The Catalogue—Commissions—Demand for his Pictures—Mr. H. S. Theobald's Reminiscences—Whistler's Indignation at Sale of Early Pictures by Old Friends—Invited to show in Chicago Exhibition—Not known at R.A.—Decorations for Boston Public Library
CHAPTER XXXVI. PARIS. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-TWO AND EIGHTEEN NINETY-THREE 310
Whistler goes to Paris to live—Joseph Pennell with him there in 1892 and 1893—Lithographs—Colour work—Studio in Rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs—Apartment in the Rue du Bac—Etchings printed—Afternoons in the Garden—Day at Fontainebleau—Wills signed—Mr. E. G. Kennedy's Portrait—Rioting in the Latin Quarter
CHAPTER XXXVII. PARIS CONTINUED. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-THREE AND EIGHTEEN NINETY-FOUR 320
Whistler's Friends in Paris—Mr. MacMonnies', Mr. Walter Gay's, and Mr. Alexander Harrison's Reminiscences—Mr. A. J. Eddy's Portrait—Portraits of Women begun
CHAPTER XXXVIII. TRIALS AND GRIEFS. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-FOUR TO EIGHTEEN NINETY-SIX 327
Du Maurier's "Trilby"—Apology—Mrs. Whistler's Illness—The Eden Trial—Whistler Challenges George Moore—In Lyme Regis and London—Portraits in Lithography—Mr. S. R. Crockett's Account of the Sittings for his Portrait—Mrs. Whistler's Death—New Will
CHAPTER XXXIX. ALONE. THE YEAR EIGHTEEN NINETY-SIX 336
Work and Little Journeys—Mr. E. G. Kennedy's Reminiscences—Evenings with Whistler—Visit to the National Gallery—Whistler goes to live with Mr. Heinemann at Whitehall Court—Mr. Henry Savage Landor—Mr. Edmund Heinemann—Eden Affair—Last Meeting with Sir Seymour Haden—Christmas at Bournemouth
CHAPTER XL. THE LITHOGRAPH CASE. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-SIX AND EIGHTEEN NINETY-SEVEN 346
Mr. Walter Sickert's Article in "Saturday Review"—Joseph Pennell sues him for Libel—Whistler the Principal Witness—In the Witness-box under Cross-examination—Verdict—Whistler's Pleasure
CHAPTER XLI. THE END OF THE EDEN CASE. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-SEVEN TO EIGHTEEN NINETY-NINE 350
M. Boldini's Portrait of Whistler—In London—Visits to Hampton— Journey to Dieppe—The Eden Case in the Cour de Cassation—Whistler's Triumph—"The Baronet and the Butterfly"—The Whistler Syndicate: Company of the Butterfly
CHAPTER XLII. BETWEEN LONDON AND PARIS. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-SEVEN TO NINETEEN HUNDRED 357
Illness in Paris—Fever of Work—Portrait of Mr. George Vanderbilt— Other Portraits and Models—Pictures of Children—Nudes—Pastels—Spanish War—Journey to Italy—"Best Man" at Mr. Heinemann's Wedding—Impressions of Rome—Mr. Kerr-Lawson's Account of his Stay in Florence—Winter in Paris—Loneliness—Meetings with old Student Friends—Dr. Whistler's Death—Dinner at Mr. Heinemann's—Mr. Arthur Symon's Impressions of Whistler
CHAPTER XLIII. THE INTERNATIONAL. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-SEVEN TO NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THREE 369
The International Society of Sculptors, Painters, and Gravers—Whistler elected First President—Activity of his Interest—First Exhibition at Knightsbridge—Second Exhibition—Difficulties—Third Exhibition at the Royal Institute—Exhibitions on the Continent and in America— Whistler's Presidency ends only with Death
CHAPTER XLIV. THE ACADÉMIE CARMEN. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-EIGHT TO NINETEEN HUNDRED AND ONE 377
School opened in the Passage Stanislas, Paris—Whistler and Mr. Frederick MacMonnies propose to visit it—History of the School written, at Whistler's request, by Mrs. Clifford Addams—Her Account—His Methods—His Advice—His Palette—Misunderstandings—Mrs. Addam apprenticed to Whistler—Men's Class discontinued—Third Year begins with Woman's Class alone—School closed—Mr. Clifford Addams made an Apprentice—Mr. MacMonnies' Account—Comparison with Other Art Schools
CHAPTER XLV. THE BEGINNING OF THE END. THE YEAR NINETEEN HUNDRED 393
Whistler authorises J. and E. R. Pennell to write his Life and Mr. Heinemann to publish it—Whistler gives his Reminiscences—Photographing began in Studio—Paris Universal Exhibition—Interest in the Boer War—The "Island" and the "Islanders"—The Pekin Massacre and Blue Pots—Domberg—Visit to Ireland—Sir Walter Armstrong's Reminiscences of Whistler in Dublin—Irritation with Critics of his Pictures in Paris—Increasing Ill-health in the Autumn—Serious Illness—Starts for the South
CHAPTER XLVI. IN SEARCH OF HEALTH. THE YEARS NINETEEN HUNDRED AND ONE AND NINETEEN HUNDRED AND TWO 407
Tangier—Algiers—Marseilles—Ajaccio—Winter in Corsica— Visit from Mr. Heinemann—Dominoes—Rests for the First Time—Return to London in the Spring—Work in the Summer—Illness in the Autumn—Bath—No. 74 Cheyne Walk—Annoyances—Journey to Holland—Dangerous Illness in The Hague—Mr. G. Sauter's Account of his Last Visit to Franz Hals at Haarlem
CHAPTER XLVII. THE END. THE YEARS NINETEEN HUNDRED AND TWO AND NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THREE 423
Return to No. 74 Cheyne Walk—Illness—Gradual Decline—Work— Portraits—Prints—Exhibition of Silver—Degree of LL.D. from Glasgow University—St. Louis Exposition—Worries—Last Weeks—Death—Funeral—Grave
APPENDIX 437
INDEX 439

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

G., after an etching, refers to the Grolier Club Catalogue of Whistler's Etchings, 1910

W., after a lithograph, refers to Mr. T. R. Way's Catalogue of Whistler's Lithographs, 1905

  Page
Portrait of the Artist (By Himself) (Oil) Frontispiece
In the George McCulloch Collection
Portrait of Whistler as a Boy (By Sir William Boxall) (Oil) 12
In the Charles L. Freer Collection, National Gallery of American Art
The Two Brothers (Miniature) 12
Lent by Miss Emma Palmer; formerly in the possession of Mrs. George D. Stanton and Miss Emma W. Palmer
Bibi Lalouette (Etching. G. 51) 20
Street at Saverne (Etching. G. 19) 20
From the "French Set"
La Mère Gérard (Oil) 24
In the possession of William Heinemann
Head of an Old Man Smoking (Oil) 24
In the Musée du Luxembourg
Portrait of Whistler (Etching. G. 54) 40
Sketches of the Journey to Alsace (Pen Drawings) 40
Portrait of Whistler in the Big Hat (Oil) 44
In the Charles L. Freer Collection, National Gallery of American Art
Drouet (Etching. G. 55) 44
At the Piano (Oil) 52
In the possession of Edmund Davis, Esq.
Wapping (Oil) 52
In the possession of Mrs. Hutton
The Thames in Ice, the Twenty-fifth of December 1860 (Oil) 60
In the Charles L. Freer Collection, National Gallery of American Art
Rotherhithe (Etching. G. 66) 60
From the "Sixteen Etchings"
The Music Room—Harmony in Green and Rose (Oil) 68
In the possession of Colonel F. Hecker
Annie Haden (Dry-Point. G. 62) 68
The White Girl—Symphony in White, No. I. (Oil) 76
In the possession of J. H. Whittemore, Esq.
Jo (Dry-Point. G. 77) 76
The Blue Wave (Oil) 84
In the possession of A. A. Pope, Esq.
The Forge (Dry-Point. G. 68) 84
From the "Sixteen Etchings"
The Morning before the Massacre of St. Bartholomew 92
(Wood-Engraving from "Once a Week," vol vii. p. 210)
The Last of Old Westminster (Oil) 92
In the possession of A. A. Pope, Esq.
Portrait of Whistler (By Himself) (Chalk Drawing) 104
Formerly in the possession of Thomas Way, Esq.
Weary (Dry-Point. G. 92) 104
Study in Chalk for the Same
Formerly in the possession of B. B. MacGeorge, Esq.
The Lange Leizen of the Six Marks—Purple and Rose (Oil) 108
In the J. G. Johnson Collection, Philadelphia
The Balcony—Harmony in Flesh-Colour and Green (Oil) 108
In the Charles L. Freer Collection, National Gallery of American Art
La Princesse du Pays de la Porcelaine—Rose and Silver (Oil) 112
In the Charles L. Freer Collection, National Gallery of American Art
Variations in Violet and Green (Oil) 112
In the possession of Sir Charles McLaren, Bart.
The Little White Girl—Symphony in White, No. II. (Oil) 124
In the National Gallery, London
Portrait of Dr. Whistler (Oil) 124
In the possession of Burton Mansfield, Esq.
Valparaiso Bay—Nocturne: Blue and Gold (Oil) 132
In the Charles L. Freer Collection, National Gallery of American Art
Symphony in White, No. III. (Oil) 132
In the possession of Edmund Davis, Esq.
Whistler's Table Palette (Photograph) 144
In the possession of Mrs. Newmarch
Sea Beach with Figures (Study for the Six Projects) (Pastel) 144
The Three Figures—Pink and Grey (Oil) 144
In the possession of Alfred Chapman, Esq.
Nocturne—Blue and Green (Oil) 148
In the National Gallery, London
Nocturne—Blue and Silver (Oil) 148
In the possession of the Executors of Mrs. F. R. Leyland
The Mother—Arrangement in Grey and Black (Oil) 160
In the Musée du Luxembourg
Portrait of Thomas Carlyle—Arrangement in Grey and Black, No II.(Oil) 160
In the Corporation Art Gallery, Glasgow
Portrait of Cicely Henrietta, Miss Alexander—Harmony in Grey and Green (Oil) 164
In the National Gallery, London
Portrait of F. R. Leyland—Arrangement in Black (Oil) 164
In the Charles L. Freer Collection, National Gallery of American Art
Portrait of Mrs. F. R. Leyland—Symphony in Flesh-Colour and Pink (Oil) 172
In the possession of H. C. Finck, Esq.
Portrait of Miss Leyland (Pastel) 172
In the possession of the Executors of Mrs. F. R. Leyland
Portrait of Mrs. Louis Huth—Arrangement in Black, No. II. (Oil) 180
In the possession of the Executors of the Family
Fanny Leyland (Study for the Etching. G. 108) (Pencil Sketch) 180
Formerly in the possession of J. H. Wrenn, Esq.
Whistler in his Studio (Oil) 196
In the Chicago Art Institute
Maud Standing (Etching. G. 114) 196
Portrait of Sir Henry Irving as Philip II. of Spain—Arrangement in Black, No. III. (Oil) 200
In the Metropolitan Museum, New York
Portrait of Sir Henry Cole (Oil) (Destroyed) 200
From a photograph lent by Pickford R. Waller, Esq.
Portrait of Miss Rosa Corder—Arrangement in Black and Brown 208
In the possession of H. C. Finck, Esq.
The Peacock Room (Photograph) 208
In the Charles L. Freer Collection, National Gallery of American Art
Drawing in Wash for "A Catalogue of Blue and White Nankin Porcelain, forming the Collection of
   Sir Henry Thompson." London: Ellis and White. 1878
216
In the possession of Pickford R. Waller, Esq.
Study (Lithotint. W. 2) 216
From a print lent by T. R. Way, Esq.
Tall Bridge (Lithograph. W. 9) 224
From a print lent by T. R. Way, Esq.
Nocturne (Lithotint. W. 5) 224
From "Notes" published by Goupil
From a print lent by T. R. Way, Esq.
Old Battersea Bridge—Nocturne in Blue and Gold (Oil) 232
In the National Gallery of British Art, Tate Gallery
The Falling Rocket—Nocturne in Black and Gold (Oil) 232
In the possession of Mrs. S. Untermeyer
The Bridge (Etching. G. 204) 244
From the "Second Venice Set"
By the permission of Messrs. Dowdeswell
The Doorway (Etching. G. 188) 244
From the "First Venice Set"
By the permission of the Fine Art Society
The Beggars (Etching. G. 194) 252
From the "First Venice Set"
By permission of the Fine Art Society
The Rialto (Etching. G. 211) 252
From the "Second Venice Set"
By the permission of Messrs. Dowdeswell
Portraits of Maud (Oil) (Destroyed) 258
From photographs lent by Pickford R. Waller, Esq.
Jubilee Memorial from the Society of British Artists to Queen Victoria, 1887 (Illumination) 258
In the Royal Collection at Windsor
Portrait of Lady Meux—Harmony in Pink and Grey (Oil) 268
In the possession of H. C. Finck, Esq.
The Salute, Venice (Water-Colour) 268
In the possession of B. B. MacGeorge, Esq.
The Yellow Buskin—Arrangement in Black (Oil) 276
In the Wilstach Collection, Memorial Hall, Philadelphia
Portrait of M. Théodore Duret—Arrangement in Flesh-Colour and Pink (Oil) 276
In the Metropolitan Museum, New York
Portrait of Pablo Sarasate—Arrangement in Black (Oil) 304
In the Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh
Portrait of Lady Colin Campbell—Harmony in White and Ivory (Oil) (Destroyed) 304
From a photograph lent by Pickford R. Waller, Esq.
Annabel Lee (Pastel) 312
In the Charles L. Freer Collection, National Gallery of American Art
The Convalescent (Water-Colour) 312
In the possession of Dr. J. W. MacIntyre
Portrait of Miss Kinsella—The Iris, Rose and Green (Oil) 328
In the possession of Miss Kinsella
Whistler at his Printing Press in the Studio, Rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs, Paris 328
From a photograph by M. Dornac
Illustration to Little Johannes
Portrait of a Lady
(Drawings on Wood)
336
In the Pennell Collection, Library of Congress, Washington
Water-Colour Landscape 336
Loaned by Mrs. Mortimer Menpes
The Master Smith of Lyme Regis (Oil) 340
In the Boston Museum of Fine Arts
The Smith, Passage du Dragon (Lithograph. W. 73) 340
Portrait of Mrs. A. J. Cassatt 344
The Beach (Water-Colour) 344
In the possession of Mrs. Knowles
Shop Window at Dieppe (Water-Colour) 344
The Thames (Lithotint. W. 125) 348
Firelight—Joseph Pennell, No. I. (Lithograph. W. 104) 348
From "Lithography and Lithographers" By the permission of T. Fisher Unwin, Esq.
Study in Brown (Oil) 356
In the possession of the Baroness de Meyer
Study of the Nude (Pen Drawing) 356
In the possession of William Heinemann, Esq.
The Little Blue Bonnet—Blue and Coral (Oil) 360
Formerly in the possession of Wm. Heinemann, Esq.
Rose and Gold—Little Lady Sophie of Soho (Oil) 360
In the Charles L. Freer Collection, National Gallery of American Art
Model with Flowers (Pastel) 368
In the possession of J. P. Heseltine, Esq.
Girl with a Red Feather (Oil) 368
In the possession of the Executors of J. Staats Forbes
A Freshening Breeze (Oil) 376
In the possession of J. S. Ure, Esq.
Lillie in Our Alley—Brown and Gold (Oil) 376
In the possession of J. J. Cowan, Esq.
The Sea, Pourville (Oil) 388
In the possession of A. A. Hannay, Esq.
The Coast of Brittany—Alone with the Tide (Oil) 388
Formerly in the possession of Ross Winans, Esq.
The Fur Jacket—Arrangement in Black and Brown (Oil) 388
Picture in Progress:From a photograph lent by Pickford R. Waller, Esq.
Completed Picture:In the Worcester Museum, Massachusetts
Portrait of Mrs. Walter Sickert 404
In the possession of Mrs. Cobden-Sanderson
Portrait of Miss Woakes 404
In the possession of Messrs. Knvedler and Co.
The Chelsea Girl 416
Portrait of E. S. Kennedy 416
In the Metropolitan Museum, New York
Gallery at the London Memorial Exhibition 428
Gallery at the Boston Memorial Exhibition 428
Whistler's Grave in Chiswick Cemetery adjoining Chiswick Churchyard 428
Monument in Whistler's Memory at the United States Military Academy at West Point 428