Documents associated with: 96th Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts, Royal Academy, London, 1864
Record 1 of 12
System Number: 09333
Date: [18 or 25 August 1863?][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: John O'Leary[2]
Place: [London?]
Repository: Dublin Castle, Dublin, Eire
Call Number: Fenian Briefs 1865-9. No. I, d., Env. 10, No. 1, 37
Document Type: ALS
7 Lindsey Row.
Old Battersea bridge
Chelsea. London.
Thursday
Dear John -
Do come and dine with us and spend the evening tomorrow - dinner at 7.30 - but come in the afternoon - I have just come from another runaway journey into Holland and have ruined myself in old Japonese [sic] China[3] !! -
Come and see it and also my large picture of the Thames[4] that I have nearly finished and forgive my truant con-[p. 2]duct - I am tired of travelling and shant bolt for any very distant parts again in a hurry.
Do come.
Ever yours
Jim Whistler.
'[15th Sept[5]. / No. 37 / [P.K ?]'
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [18 or 25 August 1863?]
JW left for Holland on 3 August 1863 (see #11109). His Amsterdam hotel bill runs from 8-15 August (#00159). The date of 'Thursday' given by JW probably indicates 18 or 25 August, or perhaps 1 or 8 September.
2. John O'Leary
John O'Leary (1830-1907), Irish nationalist and journalist [more].
3. Japonese [sic] China
JW's first collection of porcelain, amounting to more than 300 pieces, was assembled over a period of some fifteen years and was sold at his bankruptcy sale on 7 May 1879.
4. Thames
Probably Wapping (YMSM 35), which was started in 1860, virtually completed by November 1863, re-worked, and finally completed for the Royal Academy in 1864. JW may also have been working on two smaller paintings, Battersea Reach (YMSM 45), and Grey and Silver: Old Battersea Reach (YMSM 46).
5. 15th Sept ... P. K
Written in a different hand. The signature is unclear and could read 'P. K' or 'J. R' but not 'J.O'L'. The same signature and the date '15 Sept' are seen in #07560. This date coincides with O'Leary's arrest, for treason, on 15 September 1865, when his papers were seized and doubtless listed by the police authorities.