The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler
M.1483
Caricature of G. F. Watts
Date
Caricature of G. F. Watts probably dates from December 1896 when The Minotaur by George Frederick Watts (1817-1904) was exhibited at the New Gallery. The technique is not consistent with Whistler's work.
Caricature of G. F. Watts, Private Collection
It is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1483).
Images
Caricature of G. F. Watts, Private Collection
Subject
Description
Caricature of G. F. Watts, Private Collection
The minotaur (its head slightly altered to look more like a man) leans on a parapet looking out to sea.
Technique
Composition
Caricature of G. F. Watts, Private Collection
The caricature is based on the painting by George Frederick Watts (1817-1904), The Minotaur (1885) Tate Britain. The minotaur seems to be holding a small creature in his hand.
Technique
It was drawn with broad, somewhat loose lines, with bold scribbles for shading. The artist drew a rough frame round the picture. The butterfly looks lop-sided and unlike Whistler's usual monogram. The angular style of drawing, likewise, is not like his usual work.
History
Provenance
- 1968: bought from Davis and Long, New York art dealers, by A. D'Offay, London dealer, January 1968, and sold to a private collector.
No earlier provenance is known. See MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1483).
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. 1483) as 'Caricature of G. F. Watts'.