The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

Date

Blind Beggar (Thomas Wilson's autograph book, p. 11) dates from July or August 1852. The book belonged to a fellow cadet at West Point, Thomas Wilson (1832-1901) (see Head (Thomas Wilson's autograph book, p. 3) m0112).

Blind Beggar (Thomas Wilson's autograph book, p. 11), USMA

It is fully catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 113), where the signature was given as 'Whistler', which is incorrect.

Images

Subject

Description

Blind Beggar (Thomas Wilson's autograph book, p. 11), USMA

A ragged man with a pack on his back, seated facing right, holding two slender stivks.

Technique

Technique

Blind Beggar (Thomas Wilson's autograph book, p. 11), USMA

See MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 112).

Conservation History

In the album there are drawings by several cadets, mostly from the class of 1853, including the owner, Thomas Wilson (1832-1901). This is among drawings inserted in the album, which was rebound by James MacDonald Co., NY, in 1972.

History

Provenance

• 1852: drawn in a book belonging to Thomas Wilson (1832-1901);
• 1901: passed by family descent to a private owner;
• 1924: offered for sale through Switzler, Ringer, Switzer and Shackleford, Omaha, Nebraska, to Joseph Pennell (1860-1926).
• By 1972: private collector, Long Island;
• 1972: bought by the United States Military Academy, West Point on 12 July 1972, with a grant from the West Point Fund.

For further details see MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 112).

Exhibitions

As far as is known, it was not exhibited in Whistler's lifetime.

Bibliography

Catalogues Raisonnés

• MacDonald, Margaret F., James McNeill Whistler. Drawings, Pastels and Watercolours. A Catalogue Raisonné, New Haven and London, 1995 (cat. no. 113) as 'Blind Beggar (Thomas Wilson's autograph book, p. 11'.