UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

The Corresponence of James McNeil Whistler

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Documents associated with: Nocturnes, Marines and Chevalet Pieces, Boussod, Valadon & Cie, Goupil Gallery, London, 1892
Record 18 of 215

System Number: 07575
Date: [14 February 1892][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: William Cleverley Alexander[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: British Museum, London
Call Number: Department of Prints and Drawings, 1958-2-8-24
Document Type: ALS


21, CHEYNE WALK,
CHELSEA.

Dear Mr Alexander -

They told me that you were not well when they went to fetch the picture[3] - but I trust that there is nothing of this terrible Influenza in your case - and that by this time you are all right again -

I am off to Paris tonight, and later on we go to the south for a few weeks -

Do go and see the Pink portrait of Lady Meux[4] at Goupil's - it will be there for the next week or ten days -

Your own little White Lady[5] will astonish [p. 2] you I think when you see it again - it will be so fair and lovely!

I enclose "The Speaker"[6] -

I want you so much to see The "Valparaiso"[7] at Mr Graham Robertson's[8] - 23. Rutland Gate. They would be delighted to show it to you - What I want is that you should see the beautiful effect of my new frame - and then let my man - Mr Grau[9]. 570. Fulham Road make one for your Nocturne - It will gain three times in stateliness and charm -

Then you must lend it once more to my little exhibition in March at Goupils[10] - They will write to you -

With kindest regards -
Very sincerely

[butterfly signature]


This document is protected by copyright.


Notes:

1.  [14 February 1892]
Dated by reference to Goupils (see below).

2.  William Cleverley Alexander
William Cleverly Alexander (1840-1916), banker and patron [more].

3.  picture
Possibly Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Chelsea (YMSM 103).

4.  Lady Meux
Harmony in Pink and Grey: Portrait of Lady Meux (YMSM 229). The picture was 'downstairs' at Goupils on 14 February 1892. (See JW to D. C. Thomson, #08216).

5.  White Lady
Harmony in Grey and Green: Miss Cicely Alexander (YMSM 129).

6.  The Speaker
George Moore wrote a series of articles on JW for the London review the Speaker. See Moore, George, 'Mr. Whistler. The Man and His Art,' The Speaker: A Review of Politics, Letters, Science and the Arts, vol. 5, 26 March 1892, pp. 374-376; Moore, George, 'Mr. Whistler's Portraits,' The Speaker: A Review of Politics, Letters, Science, and the Arts, vol. 5, 2 April 1892, pp. 406-407; Moore, George, 'Mr. Whistler's Portraits. - II,' The Speaker: A Review of Politics, Letters, Science, and the Arts, vol. 5, 9 April 1892, pp. 436-437).

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

8.  Mr Graham Robertson's
Walford Graham Robertson (1867-1948), painter, designer and collector [more].

9.  Mr Grau
Frederick H. Grau (d. 1894/1895), picture framer [more].

10.  Goupils
Nocturnes, Marines and Chevalet Pieces, Boussod, Valadon & Cie, Goupil Gallery, London, 1892, Alexander did lend his pictures.