The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

M.0026
Valentine

Valentine

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1850
Collection: Glasgow University Library
Accession Number: Special Collections, MS Whistler P43
Medium: watercolour, pencil, pen and black ink
Support: cream wove paper
Size: 4 1/2 x 7" (113 x 179 mm)
Signature: none
Inscription: 'I'm a novice at this, / But a sweet blue eyed Miss, / Cannot fail to inspire / A youth's fond desire, / To contribute his mite / To surprise and delight, / I bow to your Shine / Adopt me your Valentine, / Perpetual good humour!" in Anna McN. Whistler's hand

Date

Valentine was given to Whistler's cousin Emma Woodbridge Palmer (1835-1912) on 14 February 1850.

Valentine, Glasgw University Library
Valentine, Glasgw University Library

It is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 26).

Images

Valentine, Glasgw University Library
Valentine, Glasgw University Library

Subject

Description

Valentine, Glasgw University Library
Valentine, Glasgw University Library

The illustration shows a soldier in uniform (he appears be wearing a hat with a cockade) dancing with a young woman who has long dark hair. Their faces are not defined.

Technique

Technique

The figures were painted neatly, using a small, fine-pointed brush. The paint (blue and reds) was a little dry. The sheet was folded vertically at left, centre and right.

History

Provenance

Note: despite the family connections, this is not part of the Birnie Philip or Revillon collections. For further details see MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more].

Bibliography

Catalogues Raisonnés


Notes: