The Life of James Mcneill Whistler the GENTLE ART of MAKING ENEMIES
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES the life of james McNeill whistler THE GENTLE ART OF MAKING ENEMIES As pleasingly exemplified in many instances wherein the serious ones of this earth, care- fully exasperated, have been prettily spurred on to unseemliness and indiscretion, while overcome by an undue sense of right. BY JAMES MCNEILL WHISTLER Pott ito, 1 OS. 6d. vet PORTRAIT OF JAMES McNEILL WHISTLER By William Nicholson Price 2i. Gd. net * LONDON : WILLIAM HEINBMANN I'OKTHAir OV THK ARTIST the life of james McNeill whistler BY E. R. AND J. PENNELL IN TWO VOLUMES ILLUSTRATED VOLUME II LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN PHILADELPHIA : J. B. LIPPINCOIT COMPANY 1908 Copyright^ London 1908, by JViUiam Ileinemann and Ji'ashington, United States of America by J. B. Lippincott Company ND 237 CONTENTS V-. Z CHAPTER XXV. AMONG FRIENDS. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-ONE TO EIGHTEEN EIGHTY- SEVEN 1 Joseph Pennell meets Whistler—First Impressions—the " Sarasate" —Sir Seymour Haden—Mr. Frederick Keppel's Visit to Whistler and his Account of it CHAPTER XXVI. AMONG FRIENDS CONTINUED. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-ONE TO EIGHTEEN EIGHTY SEVEN 10 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 Exaggerations—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 24 Whistler moves to the Fulham Road—Description of the new Studio— Pictures in Progress—Mr. Booth PearsaU's Account of a Visit to it— Mr. William M. Chase, his Portrait and His Reminiscences—Plana to visit America CHAPTER XXVIII. THE "TEN O'CLOCK." THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-FOUR TO EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-EIGHT 34 " 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 —Us Delivery in Other Places— Its Publication—Swinburne's Criticism 2067134 s s CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER XXIX. THE BRITISH ARTISTS—THE RISE. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-FOUR TO EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-SIX 47 Approached by the British Artists—Elected a Member of thi 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 DowdesweW —Exhibition oj Notes, Harmonies, Nocturnes, at DowdesweW —Elected President of the British Artists CHAPTER XXX. THE BRITISH ARTISTS—THE FALL. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-SIX TO EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-EIGHT 62 Whistler as President—His Decoration of the OaUery and hanging of Pictures—Indignation of Members — Visit of the Prince of Wales— Growing Dissatisfaction in the Society—Jubilee of Queen Victoria— Whistler's Congratulatory Address—British Artists' made a Boyal Society—Dissatisfaction becomes Open Warfare—The Crisis— Wyke Bayliss elected President— Whistler's Resignation CHAPTER XXXI. MARRIAGE. THE YEAR EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-EIGHT 75 Whistler's Wedding—Reception at the Tower House—His Wife—His Devotion—Influence of Marriage CHAPTER XXXII. WORK. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-FOUR TO EIGHTEEN NINETY 80 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 88 Honours from Paris, Munich and Amsterdam—Dinner to Whistler— Paris Universal Exhibition of ISS9—Exhibition of Whistler's Work in Queen Square—Moves to 21 Cheyne Walk —M. Harry's Impressions of the House—Portrait of Comte de Moniesjuiou— W. E. Henley and " " National Observer —New Friends vi — CONTENTS PACE CHAPTER XXXIV. " THE GENTLE ART." THE YEAR EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY 100 Whistler CoUects his Letters and Writings— Work begun by Mr. Sheridan Ford—Mr. J. McLure Hamiltoii'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 TO EIGHTEEN NINETY-TWO 114 The "Carlyle" bought by the Glasgow Corporation—"The Mother" bought for the Luxembourg—The Exhibition at the Goupil Gallery— Mr. D. Croat Thomson's Account CHAPTER XXXVI. THE TURN OF THE TIDE. THE YEARS /EIGHTEEN NINETY-ONE TO EIGHTEEN NINETY-TWO CONTINUED 124 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—Instance given by Sir Eennell Rodd—Invited to show at the Chicago Exhibition—Not Known at R.A.—Decorations for Boston Public Library CHAPTER XXXVII. PARIS. THE YEAR EIGHTEEN NINETY-TWO TO NINETY-THREE 133 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 da Bac—Etchings printed—Afternoons in the Garden—Day at Fontainebleau— Wills Signed—Mr. E. O. Kennedy's Portrait—Rioting in the Latin Quarter CHAPTER XXXVIII. PARIS CONTINUED. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-THREE TO EIGHTEEN NINETY- FOUR ,; 150 Whistler's Friends in Paris—Mr. MacMonnies', Mr. Walter Gay's and Mr. Alexander Harrison's Retniniscences—Mr. A, J. Eddy's Portrait —Portraits of Women be.gun', vii — CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER XXXIX. TRL\LS AND GRIEFS. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-FOUR TO EIGHTEEN NINETY- SIX 160 Du Jlaurier's " Trilby " Apology—Mrs. Whistler's Illness—The Eden Trial— Whistler Challenges George Moore—In Lyme Segis and London—Portraits in Lithography—Mr. S. It. Crockett's Account of the Sittings for his Portrait—Mrs. Whistler's Death—New Will CHAPTER XL. ALONE. THE YEAR EIGHTEEN NINETY-SIX 173 Work and Little Jouriieys—Mr. E. G. Kennedy's Reminiscences— Evenings with Whistler— Visit to the National Gallery— Whistler goes to live leith Mr. Hcinemann at Whitehall Court—Mr. Henry Savage Landor—Mr. Edmund Heinemann—Eden Affair—Last Meeting with Sir Seymour Haden—Christmas at Bournemouth CHAPTER XLI. THE LITHOGRAPHY CASE. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-SIX TO EIGHTEEN NINETY-SEVEN 186 Mr. Walter Sickeri's Article in •• Saturday Review"—Joseph PenneU sues Him for Libel— Whistler the Principal Witness—In the Witness- Box under Cross Examination— Verdict— Whistler's Pleasure CHAPTER XLII. THE END OF THE EDEN CASE. THE YEAR EIGHTEEN NINETY-SEVEN 193 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 XLIII. BETWEEN LONDON AND PARIS. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-SEVEN TO NINE- TEEN HUNT)RED 202 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 Symons' Impressions of Whistler viii CONTENTS PACE CHAPTER XLIV. THE INTERNATIONAL. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY-SEVEN TO NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THREE 216 The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers— Whistler Elected First President—Activity of His Interest—First Exhibition at Knightsbridge—Second Exhibition— Difjiculties— Third Exhibition at the Royal Institute—Exhibitions on the Continent and in America— Whistler's Presidency etids only with Death CHAPTER XLV. THE ACADEMIE CARMEN. THE YEARS EIGHTEEN NINETY- EIGHT TO NINETEEN HUNDRED AND ONE 22S Sclwol 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 Addains—Her Account —His Methods—His Advice—His Palette—Misunderstandings— Mrs. Addams apprenticed to Whistler— Men's Class discontinued— Third year Begins with Woynan's Class Alone—School Closed—Mr. Clifford Addains made are Apprentice— J/r. MacMonnies' Account—Comparison with Other Art Schools CHAPTER XLVI. THE BEGINNING OF THE END. THE YEAR NINETEEN HUNDRED 247 Whistler authorises J. and E. P. Pennell to Write his Life and Mr. Heinemann to publish it— Whistler gives his Reminiscences—Photo- graphing begun in Studio—Paris Universal Exhibition—Interest in the " Boer War—The " Island " and the " Islanders —The Pekin Massacre and Blue Pots—Dornburg— 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 ArUumn—Serious Illness—Starts for the South CHAPTER XLVII. IN SEARCH OF HEALTH. THE YEARS NINETEEN HUNDRED AND ONE TO NINE- TEEN HUNDRED AND TWO 26& 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—Appreciations by Mr. E. A. Walton and Mr. F. Morley Fletcher—No. 74 Cheyne Walk—Annoyances—Journey to Holland- Dangerous Illness in Tlie Hague—Mr. 0. Sautcr's Account of his Last Visit to Franz Hals at Haarlem ix CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER XLVIII. THE END. THE YEARS NINETEEN HUNDRED AND TWO TO NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THREE 288 Return to 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 305 INDEX 315 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Portrait of the Artist Frontispiece Formerly in the possession of the late George McCulIoch, Esq. To face page Portrait of Padlo Sarasate (^Arrangement in Black) 4 In the Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh A Group in Whistler's Studio, Tite Street, 1881 10 From a photograph by the Hon.