The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler
M.1506
Jubilee decorations
Date
Jubilee decorations was drawn in a letter from Whistler in London to Miss R. B. Philip, in June 1897, at the time of the Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria (1819-1901). 1
Jubilee decorations, Glasgow University Library
It is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1507).
Images
Jubilee decorations, Glasgow University Library
Subject
Site
Jubilee decorations, Glasgow University Library
Pall Mall and Haymarket, London. Whistler's description of the Jubilee decorations reads:
'Called in passing
[sketch of club with banner:] COMMEMORATION
Pall Mall - club covered up!
The commercial red calico bandaging the place, with the colossal yellow! letters explaining what it is all about!
[sketch of the Haymarket with 'VR' on hoarding]
Haymarket
Common scene painting!
Red & Yellow.' 2
Technique
Technique
Jubilee decorations, Glasgow University Library
The sketches and descriptions were drawn quickly in pencil.
Conservation History
The sheet is torn on the right.
History
Provenance
- 1903: in Whistler's studio at his death in 1903 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 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. 1506) as 'Jubilee decorations'.
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 #07470.
Notes:
1: [14/22 June 1897], GUW #07470. This sheet may have accompanied his letter to R. B. Philip on 14 June 1897, GUW #04707.
2: [14/22 June 1897], GUW #07470.