The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler
M.1317
The Evolution of the Butterfly
Date
The Evolution of the Butterfly probably dates from Spring 1891, and was given to Harriet Burfort James Bancroft (Mrs J. C. Bancroft) (1846-1906).
The Evolution of the Butterfly, Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery
The drawing is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1317).
Images
The Evolution of the Butterfly, Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery
Subject
Description
The Evolution of the Butterfly, Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery
Seven butterflies, starting with Whistler's angular monogram 'JW' and ending with the butterfly with a curly antenna (perhaps intended to resemble his white lock of hair).
Technique
Technique
The Evolution of the Butterfly, Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery
See MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1317).
History
Provenance
- 1891: drawn by Whistler for Harriet Burfort James Bancroft (Mrs J. C. Bancroft) (1846-1906);
- After 1904: passed to her daughter Hester (1877-1939) who married Brigadier Rodolph Ladeveze Adlercron (1873-1966);
- 1930: given by Mrs Aldercron to Birmingham City Art Gallery on 21 November 1930.
See MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1317).
Exhibitions
- 1904: Oil Paintings, Water Colors, Pastels and Drawings: Memorial Exhibition of the Works of Mr. J. McNeill Whistler, Copley Society, Boston, 1904 (cat. no. 168) as 'The Evolution of the Butterfly'.
Bibliography
Catalogues Raisonnés
- MacDonald, Margaret F., James McNeill Whistler. Drawings, Pastels and Watercolours. A Catalogue Raisonné, New Haven and London, 1995 (cat. no. 1317) as 'The Evolution of the Butterfly'.
Catalogues 1855-1905
- Oil Paintings, Water Colors, Pastels and Drawings: Memorial Exhibition of the Works of Mr. J. McNeill Whistler, Copley Society, Boston, 1904 (cat. no. 168) as 'The Evolution of the Butterfly'.