Documents associated with: Exhibition of International Art, International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, London, 1898
Record 2 of 87
System Number: 07981
Date: [1896/1897][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: Mary Loyd[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Pennell-Whistler Collection, PWC 2/37/1
Document Type: ALS[3]
4. Whitehall Court -
Dear Lady Mary Loyd -
I fear that, through carelessness of my own, I have allowed you to receive from Mr. Heinemann[4], quite a wrong impression of Mr. Gilberts[5] attitude in this Grosvenor Gallery[6] scheme -
While he takes that warmest interest [p. 2] in the matter - partly from old associations with the Gallery, and partly from his friendly inclination towards my self - his position - as a distinguished member of the Academy, puts it quite out of the question that he should ever be called upon by any of us to assume an official responsibility of any kind -
What I am assurred [sic] of is his promised readiness to contribute continually to the Exhibitions - thereby bringing the most effective element of success -
May I entreat you to let Lord Wantage[7] know this, as I feel that I have thoughtlessly permitted my friend to appear, for the moment, in a compromising position -
With apologies for trouble, and many thanks for the flattering interest you have shown,
Very sincerely Yours
J. McNeill Whistler
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [1896/1897?]
Dated from the address.
2. Mary Loyd
Lady Mary S. Loyd (1854?-1936), author [more].
3. ALS
Deep mourning border (10 mm.)
4. Mr. Heinemann
William Heinemann (1863-1920), publisher [more]. JW stayed with him several times after the death of Beatrix Whistler (1857-1896), née Beatrice Philip, artist [more].
5. Mr. Gilberts
Alfred Gilbert (1854-1934), sculptor [more].
6. Grosvenor Gallery
The Grosvenor Gallery had closed in 1890 but was still available as a potential exhibition space. JW also mentioned ' this new Grosvenor business' to Albert Ludovici, Jr (1852-1932), painter [more], #08065. The association of this group people - Ludovici, Gilbert and JW, does suggest that an exhibition or exhibiting society was being considered. Eventually, the Grosvenor idea seems to have been abandoned. Instead, a new initiative took place, not ledy by JW but by a group of Scottish artists, and eventually Gilbert became the first chairman, and when he resigned, JW became the first President of this new society, the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers. The first Council meeting took place at the Princes Rink, Knightsbridge on 23 December 1897. The Society's first Exhibition of International Art, International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, London, 1898, opened the following May. See Pennell, Elizabeth Robins, and Joseph Pennell, The Life of James McNeill Whistler, 2 vols, London and Philadelphia, 1908, vol. 2, pp. 216-17.
7. Lord Wantage
Robert James (Loyd) Lindsay (1832-1901), army officer, MP, Lord Wantage [more]. He had joined the Earl of Crawford and Sir Coutts Lindsay in forming the 'Grosvenor Gallery Electric Lighting Works' or 'The Grosvenor Gallery Company' in 1884.