The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler
M.1504
A room in 8 Fitzroy Street, London
Date
A room in 8 Fitzroy Street, London was drawn in a letter from Whistler in Paris to his sister-in-law, Philippa Maude Philip (1865-1915), in Chelsea, postmarked 10 May 1897. 1
A room in 8 Fitzroy Street, London, Glasgow University Library
It is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1504).
Images
A room in 8 Fitzroy Street, London, Glasgow University Library
Subject
Site
A room in 8 Fitzroy Street, London, Glasgow University Library
Whistler's house at 8 Fitzroy Street, Chelsea, London. The relevant section of the letter reads:
'I want you to go at once to the Studio - You know - 8. Fitzroy Street. Fitzroy Square - and tell Marie that you come from me, and that she must ... give you the key of the writing table, or "Bureau" as she is accustomed to hear it called - That key is in the drawer of the little Sideboard, of which I now send you the Key! ...
Well - now when Marie has given you that, open the writing table and sit down! - [sketch]
In the drawer on the left hand, - top or bottom - you will find several large envelopes - I think in the top drawer and under some handkerchiefs - These envelopes contain special matters -... I want at once the one that contains letters and receipts of Mons. Thil - my landlord.' 2
Technique
Technique
A room in 8 Fitzroy Street, London, Glasgow University Library
The drawing is in the same black ink as the letter. Blotting of the ink has produced a variety of colour suggesting shadow.
Conservation History
The letter was written on all sides, with the drawing on the third side; the paper has a deep mourning border.
History
Provenance
- 1897: sent by Whistler to Philippa Maude Philip (1865-1915), and passed to her sister, Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958);
- 1955: given by Miss Birnie Philip to the University of Glasgow.
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. 1504) as 'A room in 8 Fitzroy Street, London'.
Websites
- The Correspondence of James McNeill Whistler, 1855-1903, edited by Margaret F. MacDonald, Patricia de Montfort and Nigel Thorp; including The Correspondence of Anna McNeill Whistler, 1855-1880, edited by Georgia Toutziari. Online edition, University of Glasgow, 2003-2004, GUW #04661.
Notes:
1: GUW #04661.
2: GUW #04661.