Documents associated with: 63rd Annual Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, 1893-1894
Record 5 of 7
System Number: 09379
Date: 31 March [1895][1]
Author: JW
Place: Paris
Recipient: Alexander Reid[2]
Place: [Glasgow]
Repository: Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Call Number: FGA Whistler 295
Credit Line: Charles Lang Freer Papers, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.: Gift of the Estate of Charles Lang Freer
Document Type: ALS
110 Rue du Bac - Paris
Dear Mr Reid -
I have but lately returned - and since my return have been much occupied -
About the pastel[3] I remember long ago asking you what you would take for it -
I have heard that the Boston people have really bought the "Furred Jacket[4]" - but am writing to know officially so that you should not be disappointed -
Now every one says that it would [p. 2] be well worth while to send your two pictures[5] the Brodequin, and the Princess to Berlin -
Will you do this - in which case of course all insurances and expenses forwarding, returning etc will of cour be paid -
I am assured that there are strong intentions of making Berlin important as art centre - and great chances of selling your pictures there -
They would have best possible places in the American Section - and meet with most distinguished treatment -
The Gentlemen of the Committee will put themselves in communication with you at once - as no time can be lost -
Very faithfully
J McN Whistler
March 31 -
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. 31 March [1895]
Dated by the location of paintings (see below). In addition, Reid's son, A. McN. Reid, dated this letter 31 March 1895 (notes in National Library of Scotland, Acc. 6925).
2. Alexander Reid
Alexander Reid (1854-1936), Glasgow dealer [more].
3. the pastel
Possibly r.: The Fortune Teller; v.: A nude lying on a sofa (M.1274).
4. Furred Jacket
Arrangement in Black and Brown: The Fur Jacket (YMSM 181) had been exhibited at the 63rd Annual Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, 1893-1894, which ended on 24 February 1894. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston then had the painting for over a year hoping to buy it, but it was not sold until 1898 to William Burrell (1861-1958), ship-owner and collector [more]. See #05160 and #11708.
5. your two pictures
Arrangement in Black: La Dame au brodequin jaune - Portrait of Lady Archibald Campbell (YMSM 242) and La Princesse du pays de la porcelaine (YMSM 50). The former was owned by Reid from August 1892 until November 1895. Reid owned the latter from May 1892 until 1894/95 when it was sold to Burrell. Neither was exhibited in Berlin at this time as far as is known. JW did not exhibit in Berlin until 1900.