UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

System Number: 03150
Date: [10/30 October 1895]^[1]
Author: Arthur Haythorne Studd^[2]
Place: [Lyme Regis]
Recipient: Editor, Speaker^[3]
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler LB 4/203/1
Document Type: MsLc^[4]

Sir -

Mr. Moore^[5] may be sufficiently ignorant of the technique of painting, to prevent his recognising in the "Carmen^[6]", the masterly hand of the painter of the "Miss Alexander^[7]" - but when he is told that they are both by Mr. Whistler, and continues to write the disrespectful stuff we read in his article in the Speaker of last Saturday^[8] - he is without excuse -

He must indeed have but the poorest opinion of his own utterances if he supposes that we forget as readily as he appears to do himself that the gospel he preached was Whistler and his hold upon the ear of the younger men was as the prophet of Whistler -

Now what has happened that we should be con-founded by the sight of this Professor of Whistler principles in the opposite Camp, going about with a tape, measuring the Master's pictures & making a tariff for cheapening his work according to its size - so much the square inch! -

Mr Moore turns his coat inside out while he is about it.... Says he "... the Painter's admirers perceive...etc" and gets himself off to those who do not perceive, are not admirers.

Mr Moore, it is true, refers to his trials in Paris - but that Art Teacher should be beyond suspicion in soul, however unreliable in body -

I am, Sir, etc -

Peter Studd

Cheyne Walk. Chelsea.

This document is protected by copyright.

Notes:

1.  [10/30 October 1895]
Dated from the address and reference to an exhibition (see below).

2.  Arthur Haythorne Studd
Arthur ('Peter') Haythorne Studd (1863-1919), painter and collector [more]. He had been known as 'Peter' since art student days.

3.  Editor, the Speaker
Unidentified.

4.  MsLc
This copy is in the hand of Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), JW's sister-in-law [more]. She notes that JW wrote this letter for Studd whilst both were staying in Lyme Regis, Dorset, about October 1895 and that it was to be sent to the Speaker with a covering letter (A. H. Studd to the Editor,Speaker, #03149). This letter was apparently never published.

5.  Mr. Moore
George Moore (1852-1933), novelist and art critic [more].

6.  Carmen
Crimson note: Carmen (YMSM 441), which was on exhibition in the 5th Exhibition, Society of Portrait Painters, London, 1895.

7.  Miss Alexander
Harmony in Grey and Green: Miss Cicely Alexander (YMSM 129).

8.  Speaker of last Saturday
George Moore, The Speaker; not located.