The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler
M.1480
Skull and crossbones (a)
Date
Skull and crossbones was drawn in the autumn of 1896 for the publisher William Heinemann (1863-1920).
Skull and crossbones, Library of Congress
It is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1480).
Images
Skull and crossbones (a), Library of Congress
Skull and crossbones (b), Library of Congress
Proofs of Skull and crossbones, Library of Congress
Subject
Description
Skull and crossbones, Library of Congress
A skull and cross bones against a black background within a circular cartouche.
Technique
Composition
Proofs of Skull and crossbones, Library of Congress
Whistler designed the skull and crossbones motif for the title page of A Book of Scoundrels by Charles Whibley (1859-1930), published by William Heinemann (1863-1920) in London in 1897. It was also used in pamphlets and press advertising Whibley's book.
Technique
Skull and crossbones, Library of Congress
Skull and crossbones, Library of Congress
Skull and crossbones m1480 is the first of two designs, and is unsigned; the second, Skull and crossbones m1481 is similar in design and paper, signed with the butterfly, and selected for publication.
Conservation History
The sheet is a little irregular in shape, with rough edges at left and bottom.
History
Provenance
- 1896: probably sent by Whistler to William Heinemann (1863-1920), London;
- 1922: sold at auction, Heinemann sale, American Art Association, New York, 13 January 1922 (lot 243).
- 1920s: acquired by Elizabeth Robins Pennell (1855-1936) and Joseph Pennell (1860-1926);
- 1927/1936: given to the Library of Congress.
Further details are given in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1480).
Exhibitions
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. 1480) as 'Skull and crossbones'.
Books, General
- Whibley, Charles, A Book of Scoundrels, London, 1897 (title page with design by Whistler).
Catalogues 1906-Present
SALE:
- Heinemann sale, American Art Association, New York, 13 January 1922 (lot 243).