Recollections and impressions of James A. McNeill WhistlerEddy, Arthur Jerome
General
Recollections and impressions of James A. McNeill Whistler
Eddy, Arthur Jerome
Painters -- United States -- 19th century -- Biography; Whistler, James McNeill, 1834-1903
There had been many before him, but none like him.
During the first half of the century the process was in great vogue in
France, and men like Ingres, Millet, Corot, and Delacroix tried the
facile stone.
One can readily understand how so fascinating a process appealed to
Whistler, and the wonder is that he did not attempt it earlier.
The use of transfer-paper, whereby the artist is enabled to make his
drawing when and where he pleases upon the paper, instead of being
hampered by the heavy stone, has greatly advanced the art, though
drawing on the stone possesses certain advantages and attractions over
the paper.
Not many years ago Whistler was called as an expert witness in a case
which involved the question whether the use of transfer-paper was
lithography. The result of the case is of no consequence. While on the
stand, he turned to the judge, and said:
“May I be permitted to explain, my lord, to these gentlemen (the jury)
why we are all here?”
“Certainly not,” answered the court; “we are all here because we cannot
help it.”
The witty ruling of the court deprived those present of remarks which
would have been not only to the point but greatly amusing.
It was in this case that an artist who had written many fine things
about Whistler and his work appeared as a witness on the other side, and
in cross-examining the great painter, counsel called attention to one of
the complimentary things that had been written (“Mr. Whistler’s almost
nothings are priceless”), and asked, “You don’t dissent to that, do you,
Mr. Whistler?”
Whistler smiled, and replied, “It is very simple and very proper that
Mr. ---- should say that sort of a thing, but I attach no importance to
it.”
And it is really true that no man ever enjoyed more having nice things
said about his work, and no man ever attributed less importance to
either favorable or unfavorable comments. He accepted both as a matter
of course and of no consequence; neither he nor his work was affected in
the slightest degree.
In 1896 he exhibited some seventy lithographs in the rooms of the Fine
Arts Society, and they were a revelation of the possibilities of the
process in the hands of a master of line.
The Way catalogue, now out of print, contained one hundred and thirty,
purporting to cover those printed down to and including 1896.
To this list must be added at least eight more which are well known, and
possibly others.
* * * * *
There are, therefore, in existence nearly four hundred etchings and
dry-points by Whistler, and probably not less than one hundred and fifty
lithographs,--a large volume of work for one man, even if he produced
nothing else.
Stress is here laid upon the mere volume of his work to meet some
remarkable views which have been put forth concerning him and to correct
the popular impression that his controversies diverted him from his art.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account