Documents associated with: 28th Exhibition of Works of Modern Artists, Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, Glasgow, 1889
Record 7 of 9
System Number: 02541
Date: [28 February 1889?][1]
Author: JW
Place: [London]
Recipient: George Henry Lewis[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler L76
Document Type: ALS
George! most brilliant George, who, under the guise of Justice, dispense the very quintescence [sic] of Law, thereby establishing the reign of wit and terror in the land. To the destruction of our enemies and the joy of the appreciative Client, remember that, above all others, I am the one who delight in your [p. 2] achievements! "George is such a great artist," I said last night, "that he could have won even the case for the Times[3]!! Amazing!." -
Now I have for you a mild forger among the picture makers[4] - a pigmy Piggott[5] [sic]!
Kill him my dear George! - and if he blow his brains out, see that he does it in Piccadilly, that the fear of the Lord & Lewis come upon those who offend
[butterfly signature]
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [28 February 1889?]
Dated from reference to a painting (see below), the Times and 'Piggott'. Richard Pigott was called as a witness in the 'Parnellism' Inquiry on 21 February 1889 (see below).
2. George Henry Lewis
Sir George Henry Lewis (1833-1911), society lawyer [more].
3. case for the Times
This relates to a celebrated political scandal of the late 1880s involving the London Times and Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-1891), Irish Nationalist leader and MP [more] It was alleged that in early 1887, forgeries of letters supposed to have been written by Parnell (which also incriminated other members of his nationalist party) were published by the Times in a series of articles entitled 'Parnellism and Crime.' This led to a Special Commission of Inquiry which began proceedings in December 1888. Lewis represented Parnell and the chief nationalist parties concerned and his investigation led to the exposure of the forgeries of Richard Pigott. See DNB.
4. forger among the picture makers
Anon., Dream of Morning off Gravesend(z207) was exhibited as by JW in the 28th Exhibition of Works of Modern Artists, Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, Glasgow, 1889 (cat. no. 472). See #03527 and #00233.
5. Piggott
Richard Pigott (ca 1828 - d.1889), journalist and forger [more].