James Abbott McNeill Whistler

James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)
"Billingsgate"
Etching, 1859
LFAC #1997:08:41

There are three art works by James Abbott McNeill Whistler, creator of "Arrangement in Grey and Black: Portrait of the Artist’s Mother" (A.K.A. "Whistler’s Mother") in the Fine Arts Collection, two etchings and a lithograph. A fourth work, an oil painting, has been designated as created by the School of Whistler.

The etching entitled "Reading in Bed," is signed "Whistler" in the lower right corner of the plate. It has been dated ca. 1858. It depicts a person lying in bed reading a book with only the upper part of the bed showing. It was donated to Luther College as part of the Nils Remmen Collection in 1941.

James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) "Reading in Bed" Etching, n.d. LFAC #075

James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) "Gants de Suede" Lithograph, 1890 LFAC #1997:08:42

The etching "Billingsgate," a black and white harbor scene with sailing ships at anchor, is signed in the plate, "Whistler 1859." The black and white lithograph, "Gants de Suede," dated 1890, depicts a standing female figure wearing a large hat, holding long suede gloves. It is signed in the plate with the Whistler monogram. Both of these works are part of the William A. Heintz Collection, donated to Luther College in 1997.

The painting is signed on the back of a canvas liner in pencil, lower left corner,"Whistler." It was originally thought to be one of the mid-size canvas-supported Noctures painted by Whistler. Its composition is very similar to "Nocturne in Blue and Silver" (1872-78), acquired by the Yale Center for British Art in the mid 1990s. The Luther College painting was examined by the Upper Midwest Conservation Association in October 1995. At that time, conservators there concluded it had been seriously overpainted. Another expert suggested in 1996 that the painting reminded her of works by Walter Greaves (1846-1930) or Clifford and Inez Bate Addams, students of Whistler. Since authenticity of the work has not been substantiated, the painting has been designated School of Whistler.

School of Whistler "River with Boat" Oil, ca. 1920's-1030's LFAC #1996:04:01

Updated 01/16/2009