The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler
YMSM 471
Lillie
Date
The three works included here under the title Lillie date from between 1898 and 1901. 1
They are dated from Whistler's known association with Lilian ('Lily') Pamington (b. 1887/1888).
Whistler's ward and executrix, Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), listed three portraits of Lillie among small panels in Whistler's studio at 8 Fitzroy Street on 16 February 1901: ‘Full length in red frock standing by chair', 'Lillie seated. (red frock)' and 'Full length. Lillie seated on sofa. (White Pinafore. Red cap)’ but no such panels have survived. 2
Images
Lillie, Whereabouts unknown
A girl seated wearing a pinafore, The Hunterian
Subject
Titles
Descriptive titles were suggested:
- 'Lillie seated ... Lillie seated on sofa' (1901, R. B. Philip). 3
- 'Lillie' (1980, YMSM). 4
Description
According to Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958) the panels were as follows: 'Full length in red frock standing by chair', 'Lillie seated. (red frock)' and 'Full length. Lillie seated on sofa. (White Pinafore. Red cap).' 5
No such small oil panels of Lillie have survived although there are pastels (on brown paper laid down on heavy cardboard) that came with Whistler's estate to the University of Glasgow, and it is possible that Miss Birnie Philip listed the portraits incorrectly.
A girl seated wearing a pinafore, The Hunterian
One such drawing shows Lillie seated, wearing a pinafore and cap. Although barely touched with colour, it could be the third 'panel' listed by Miss Birnie Philip.
Sitter
Lilian ('Lily') Pamington (b. 1887/1888). For other portraits of Lillie Pamington, see Brown and Gold: Lillie 'In our Alley!' y464.
Technique
Technique
Unknown.
Conservation History
Unknown.
Frame
Unknown.
History
Provenance
- 1901: three panels of 'Lillie' were in Whistler's studio at 8 Fitzroy Street, Chelsea on 16 February 1901. 6
Nothing further is known of these panels.
Exhibitions
They were not, as far as is known, exhibited in Whistler's lifetime.
Bibliography
Catalogues Raisonnés
- Young, Andrew McLaren, Margaret F. MacDonald, Robin Spencer, and Hamish Miles, The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler, New Haven and London, 1980 (cat. no. 471a) as 'Lillie'.
Authored by Whistler
- None.
Catalogues 1855-1905
- None.
Journals 1855-1905
- None.
Monographs
- None.
Books on Whistler
- None.
Books, General
- None.
Catalogues 1906-Present
- None.
Journals 1906-Present
- None.
Websites
- None.
Unpublished
- None.
Other
- None.
Notes:
1: Dated 1896/1901 in YMSM 1980 [more] (cat. no. 471a).
2: GUL Whistler BP II Ledger c, pp. 5-6.
3: GUL Whistler BP II Ledger c, pp. 5-6.
4: YMSM 1980 [more] (cat. no. 471a).
5: GUL Whistler BP II Ledger c, pp. 5-6.
6: List by R. BirniePhilip, GUL Whistler BP II Ledger c, pp. 5-6.