The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

Date

Riva, Nocturne is said to date from 1880 and to have been given by Whistler to William Scott (1848-1918). It is not certain that this is true.

Riva, Nocturne, Private Collection

This drawing is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 800).

Images

Subject

Site

Riva, Nocturne, Private Collection

The Riva degli Schiavoni, Venice, Italy.

Technique

Composition

Riva, Nocturne, Private Collection

Nocturne - The Riva, The Frick Collection

The composition is closely related to that of Nocturne - The Riva m0799. It is on unusual paper and signed with a rather large butterfly; it is not entirely consistent with Whistler's usual technique.

History

Provenance

• Before 1918: said to have been sent to William Scott (1848-1918).
• By 1969: private collector, USA and Spain;
• 1969-1970: with Hirschl and Adler, New York art dealers, but returned to owner.
• 1981: with A. C. Manice, Fine Arts Co., Philadelphia, in July;
• 1982: sold at auction, Doyle, New York, 21 April 1982 (lot 157) as 'The Riva', bought by P. Livovicky, New York dealer.

Despite the inscription, it is unlikely that this was sent to Scott by Whistler.

Exhibitions

There is no record of exhibitions.

Bibliography

Catalogues Raisonnés

• MacDonald, Margaret F., James McNeill Whistler. Drawings, Pastels and Watercolours. A Catalogue Raisonné, New Haven and London, 1995 (cat. no. 800) as 'Riva, Nocturne'.