The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler
M.1136
Design for a lion for the RBA
Date
Design for a lion for the RBA dates from 1887. See Crowned lion m1133 for further details.
Design for a lion for the RBA, Glasgow University Library
It is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1136).
Images
Design for a lion for the RBA, Glasgow University Library
Subject
Description
Design for a lion for the RBA, Glasgow University Library
A lion 'passant', crowned, in a dark coloured rectangle, surrounded by a chequered rectangular frame.
Technique
Composition
Design for a lion for the RBA, Glasgow University Library
The lion is framed within a chequered edge containing the initials 'R.B.A.' The use of the initials instead of the full name, the addition of a chequered background, and the double line round the edge, complete the design.
As a final stage in the design, Whistler jotted down the position of the rectangle as letterhead, beside the typescript heading 'The Royal Society of/ British Artists-/Suffolk Street. Pall Mall.' on an envelope-format sheet of paper. 1 These minimalist designs have not been catalogued separately.
Technique
The wash is a rusty red, which gives it a lot more life. The lion was probably traced from Crowned lion m1135.
Conservation History
The paper is the same as for Crowned lion m1135, much browned, with the top irregularly torn, but with the torn section folded over. The grain runs horizontally across the design.
History
Provenance
- 1903: in Whistler's studio at his death and bequeathed to his sister-in-law, Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958);
- 1955: given by Miss Birnie Philip to the University of Glasgow.
Exhibitions
It has not been exhibited.
Bibliography
Catalogues Raisonnés
- MacDonald, Margaret F., James McNeill Whistler. Drawings, Pastels and Watercolours. A Catalogue Raisonné, New Haven and London, 1995 (cat. no. 1136) as 'Design for a lion for the RBA'.
Notes:
1: GUL MS Whistler R195-96.