UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

The Corresponence of James McNeil Whistler

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Documents associated with: 1st [Exhibition], Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1891
Record 3 of 8

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System Number: 05586
Date: 21 May 1891
Author: Alfred Stevens[1]
Place: Paris
Recipient: JW
Place: London
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler S232
Document Type: ALS[2]

21 Mai '91.

Cher ami,

Je n'y tiens plus, malgré tous mes grands chagrins sur cette terre; je prends la plume pour vous dire que votre portrait de femme[3] exposé au Champ de Mars est pour moi le chef d'oeuvre de l'exposition et que la marine[4] en est le bijou.

(Bien entre nous, ne le dites pas, cette exposition est bien faible) je peux donc vous dire que j'y ai [p. 2] un grand succès. Je le répète sauf quelques-uns, tout cela n'est plus de la peinture, c'est de la mode et de la mode en blanc de plomb pas d'argent. On ne peint plus on ne sait plus peindre,

Où allons-nous? où va la peinture? je l'ignore. Ne montrez ma lettre qu'à vous.

Quand venez-vous a [sic] Paris, je serais si heureux de vous voir.

Toutes mes amitiés, je vous prie, à Madame Whistler[5], et à vous de coeur

Alfred Stevens

15 Avenue Frochot.


This document is protected by copyright.

Translation:

15 Avenue Frochot

21 May 91

Dear friend,

Despite no longer having the will, due to all of my great sorrows on this earth, I take up my pen to tell you that your portrait of a woman exhibited at the Champ de Mars is for me the masterpiece of the exhibition and that the seascape is the jewel.

(Quite between ourselves, do not say anything, this exhibition is very weak) I can therefore tell you that I am having a great success in it. I repeat that with the exception of a few, all that is no longer painting, it is fashion and fashion in lead white, not silver.

Where are we going? Where is painting going? I do not know. Do not show my letter to anyone else.

When are you coming to Paris, I would be so happy to see you.

Best wishes, please, to Mrs Whistler, and to you from the heart.

Alfred Stevens

Envelope:

Monsieur
Neill [sic] Whistler (peintre)
21, Cheyne - Walk Chelsea,
Londres,
[stamp:] POSTE / 25 / RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE
[postmark:] PARIS - 67 / PL. DES ABBESSES / 4E 21 / MAI / 91

Notes:

1.  Alfred Stevens
Alfred Émile-Léopold Stevens (1823-1906), history and portrait painter [more].

2.  ALS
The stationery has a deep mourning border, since Stevens was mourning the death of his brother Arthur.

3.  portrait de femme
Arrangement in Brown and Black: Portrait of Miss Rosa Corder (YMSM 203), shown at 1st Exhibition, Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1891.

4.  marine
Crepuscule in Flesh Colour and Green: Valparaiso (YMSM 73).

5.  Madame Whistler
Beatrix Whistler (1857-1896), née Beatrice Philip, artist [more].