The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

Date

Rose and Gold: The Little Lady Sophie of Soho was painted in 1898 and 1899.

1898: Whistler intended to paint Edith Burkitt (1884-1973), the younger daughter of his landlady at 8 Fitzroy Street, but she was taken ill so her sister Sophie Burkitt (1882-1959) was sent instead. Whistler made a 'rough sketch' of Sophie, 'became interested in her as a subject', and decided to complete her portrait before starting on Edith's; he worked on it 'at intervals for some weeks' before he returned to Paris in February 1898. ¹ At the same time, in February, David Croal Thomson (1855-1930) told Arthur Jerome Eddy (1859-1920) that Whistler was working on 'a little girl the "Princess" ', which was probably this painting. ²

1899: It was continued, according to Edith Burkitt, at 110 rue du Bac where Sophie had about three sittings in six weeks; this, according to Whistler's sister-in-law Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), was probably about March 1899. ³

Rose and Gold: The Little Lady Sophie of Soho, Freer Gallery of Art

It was first exhibited at the 2nd Exhibition, Pictures, Drawings, Prints and Sculptures, International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, London, 1899 (cat. no. 138). It was bought by Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919), but after the exhibition Whistler wrote to Freer, 'The little Lady of Soho! I am glad you have chosen her too - I think before she is packed, I know of a touch I must add - and then she can follow you in the next steamer.' ⁴ In August the artist wrote to Freer from Pourville: 'I am having sent to you a photogravure they have just done of the little Lady Sophie - to keep her in your mind, in case she remain with me for another couple of Steamers!' ⁵

1900: According to the Pennells, Whistler showed them the portrait at 8 Fitzroy Street, 'the Little Lady Sophie that he has worked on since the International last year, giving it finer colour and tone.' ⁶ It was finally sent to Freer in June 1900. ⁷

Images

Subject

Titles

Minor variations on the title have been suggested:

• 'Princess' (1898, D. C. Thomson). ¹⁰
• 'Rose and Gold – The little Lady Sophie of Soho' (1899, ISSPG). ¹¹
• 'The little Lady of Soho! ... the little Lady Sophie of Soho' (1899, Whistler). ¹²
• 'Rose and Gold: The Little Lady Sophie of Soho' (1980, YMSM). ¹³

Edith Burkitt (1884-1973) explained the title: '[Whistler] told my mother my sister was "fit to be a princess", and he named the finished picture Rose and Gold: Little Lady Sophie of Soho.' ¹⁴

Description

Rose and Gold: The Little Lady Sophie of Soho, Freer Gallery of Art

An oval half-length portrait of a girl in three-quarter view to left. She sits with her hands clasped in her lap. She has long dark brown hair, and wears a black high-necked long-sleeved dress. The background is pale brown. The canvas is in vertical format.

Sitter

Sophie Burkitt (1882-1959), sister of Edith Burkitt (1884-1973). Their mother, Mrs Burkitt, was Whistler's landlady at 8 Fitzroy Street from 1898 until 12 July 1901 when she married a Mr Blackwell. ¹⁵ Sophie was born on 14 December 1882, married W. E. Griffiths on 24 August 1918, and died on 2 May 1959. According to her sister Edith, 'Sophie was a gifted pianist and Whistler wanted to capture her expression while she was playing and asked to paint her. She was then ten years old. He painted her when she was 16-17 years old.' ¹⁶

Technique

Composition

David Park Curry suggests that in this portrait, Whistler attempted 'to capture the enigmatic half-smile of Leonardo's Mona Lisa.' ¹⁷

Technique

Rose and Gold: The Little Lady Sophie of Soho, photograph by W. E. Gray, 1899

Rose and Gold: The Little Lady Sophie of Soho, Freer Gallery of Art

Whistler made a 'rough sketch' of Sophie Burkitt (1882-1959), before working on her portrait. Work took place 'at intervals for some weeks' in London, and it was continued at 110 rue du Bac where Sophie had about three sittings in six weeks. ¹⁸ Even after it was bought by Freer, Whistler wrote, 'I know of a touch I must add.' ¹⁹ The portrait seems to have been travelling back and forth between London and Paris. Three months later, Whistler told his sister-in-law Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), 'You had better now at once see about getting off the "Sophie of Soho" through Mr. Marchant of Goupils - to be sent to their house in Paris.' ²⁰

According to the Pennells, Whistler continued to work at 8 Fitzroy Street on 'the Little Lady Sophie that he has worked on since the International last year, giving it finer colour and tone.' ²¹ Considering that the Pennells said that Whistler worked on it for a whole year after it was first exhibited in 1898, there are remarkably few signs of alterations.

Her hair seems to have been softened and details of her hair at the top and right, and particularly down her right arm, have been smoothed over. Many areas were rubbed down almost to canvas, and in some places show the actual weave, as part of the working process. The result is many soft blurred areas with minimal paint. Her forehead and nose have a stroke of paint as a highlight, and, by contrast, the front of her bust was darkened. The butterfly was possibly moved to the right.

Conservation History

Rose and Gold: The Little Lady Sophie of Soho, Freer Gallery of Art

Rose and Gold: The Little Lady Sophie of Soho, photograph, 1899

Freer Gallery records note that it was cleaned and resurfaced in 1922, 1935 and 1951, and surfaced in 1933; the heavy discoloured varnish was removed by Ben Johnson in 1965, and it was cleaned and revarnished.

Frame

An elliptical frame.

History

Provenance

• 1899: bought from Whistler by Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919), Detroit, and sent to him in the following year;
• 1902: Freer completed payment for the portrait;
• 1919: bequeathed by C. L. Freer to the Freer Gallery of Art.

The painting was one of several bought by C. L. Freer in 1899, but Whistler was loathe to part with it, and wrote to Freer,

'Nothing is to be said about price in this matter - until the Blue Girl takes her place to preside -

All this you will understand completely and feel with when we meet.

Meanwhile I think I may tell you without the least chance of being misunderstood, that I wish you to have a fine collection of Whistlers!! - perhaps The collection -

You see the Englishmen have all sold - "for 'tis their nature to," as Dr Watts beautifully puts it - whatever paintings of mine they possessed! ...

... The little Lady of Soho! I am glad you have chosen her.' ²²

Whistler also instructed Christine Anderson (Christiana Barrett, Mrs C. L. Baldwyn, Mrs C. A. M. Anderson) (b. 1865/1866) at the Company of the Butterfly that the two exhibits bought by Freer were to be collected from the ISSPG but there was 'No question of price as I have told you.' ²³ On 27 June 1900 Freer wrote that he had heard from William Stephen Marchant (1868-1925) that 'the beautiful portrait of the "Little Lady of Soho" ' would be sent soon, and offered to pay for it. ²⁴ Whistler wrote to the sitter's mother that Edith, the sitter's sister, must locate the painting: 'A man is coming this morning from Goupil's for Miss Sophie's portrait, and I want Miss Edie to give it to him, for she knows exactly where it is.' ²⁵

The painting was eventually sent to Freer through Goupil's and hung in Detroit by December 1900. Freer wrote:

'one week ago was the first opportunity I had to unpack and hang in your group the "Little Lady Sophie of Soho"

I found that the journey had fortunately, done her no harm and that she was as attractive as ever. Along with "The Balcony", "Bognor", "Portsmouth Harbour", (Nocturne) "La Cigale" and the delightful water colors and pastels, she hangs in serene triumph, a bit coquettish perhaps, but always beautiful - She has many admirers already and the number is sure to increase.' ²⁶

It was not long before it was shipped back to France, exhibited briefly in Paris in 1901, and finally returned to Freer thereafter. Freer paid Whistler 800 guineas (£840) for the painting in May 1902. ²⁷

Exhibitions

• 1899: 2nd Exhibition, Pictures, Drawings, Prints and Sculptures, International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, London, 1899 (cat. no. 138) as 'Rose and Gold – The little Lady Sophie of Soho'.
• 1901: VIII. Internationale Kunst-Ausstellung, Königlicher Glaspalast, Munich, 1901 (cat. no. 1833a).
• 1901: Exposition Internationale de Peinture et de Sculpture, Galeries George Petit, Paris, 1901 (catalogue untraced).
• 1903: Seventy-second Annual Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, 1903 (cat. no. 3).
• Comparative exhibition of native and foreign art, Society of Art Collectors, New York, 1904 (cat. no. 180) as 'Rose and Gold – The Little Lady Sophie of Soho'.
• 1904: Oil Paintings, Water Colors, Pastels and Drawings: Memorial Exhibition of the Works of Mr. J. McNeill Whistler, Copley Society, Boston, 1904 (cat. no. 83) (cat. no. 83) as ' "Rose and Gold – The Little Lady Sophie of Soho" '.
• Œuvres de James McNeill Whistler, Palais de l'Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1905 (cat. no. 37) as 'Rose et or. La petite lady Sophie, de Soho. – (Rose and Gold. The Little Lady Sophie of Soho.)'.

Plan of a panel of pictures for the ISSPG, Tate Archive, London

Paintings at the ISSPG, Glasgow University Library

Whistler was concerned over the selection and arrangement of his group of pictures at the ISSPG. He sent a drawing of the proposed layout to John Lavery (1856-1941). The sketch, Plan of a panel of pictures for the ISSPG m1582, shows the hanging scheme including Purple and Gold: Phryne the Superb! - Builder of Temples y490, which was not eventually included, and Blue and Silver: Trouville y066, Nocturne: Black and Gold - Rag Shop, Chelsea y204, Rose and Brown: La Cigale y495, and Rose and Gold: The Little Lady Sophie of Soho, which were included. ²⁸

A second sketch, Paintings at the ISSPG m1583, included Whistler's full exhibit, as listed in the catalogue, Blue and Silver: Trouville y066, Nocturne: Black and Gold - Rag Shop, Chelsea y204, Rose and Gold: The Little Lady Sophie of Soho, Purple and Gold: Phryne the Superb! - Builder of Temples y490, Violet and Rose: Carmen qui rit y506, and Portrait of E. G. Kennedy (2) y404.

Rose and Gold: The Little Lady Sophie of Soho, photograph, 1899

The painting was reproduced in the exhibition catalogue and Whistler sent C. L. Freer a reproduction. He replied: 'The Little Lady Sophie is beautifully reproduced - and it must have been difficult ... I urge you to see that the prints of this little Lady, throughout the whole edition be, each one, as pure and silvery as the proof you send me!' ²⁹ Whistler sent a copy of the photogravure to Edward Guthrie Kennedy (1849-1932), saying, 'I told Messrs. Ward to send you proof photogravure of "The Little Lady Sophie of Soho," and of the Trouville sea piece - They are very pretty and I thought you might wish to hang them up over there.' ³⁰ No sooner was it bought and sent to Freer, and hung in Detroit in December 1900, than Whistler requested it for a proposed exhibition in Paris, in March 1901. ³¹ Indeed, this had already been discussed and agreed, as Freer replied: 'it was so agreed between us in London, last October, that the little "Lady Sophie" was to visit Paris in the spring - she, little Lady that she is will be glad to face the fair Parisiennes on their own ground.' ³² By July, 'The little Lady Sophie is holding her Court in all honour in Munich for the moment', Whistler told Freer. ³³ It appears that Freer did not know in advance the portrait had gone to Munich, but he graciously approved:

'I was most happily surprised in walking through the exhibition at Munich, before the receipt of your letter, to find enthroned upon a special pedestal, in a perfect light, the Little Lady Sophie, who by her rare charm, was the saving grace of a conventional exhibition.' ³⁴

Panel of four pictures, Glasgow University Library, Special Collections

'Rose et Or - Miladi Sophie de Soho' was returned from Munich and went immediately into the exhibition of the Société Internationale de Peinture et de Sculpture, at the Galerie Georges Petit. ³⁵ Whistler sketched a possible arrangement of his exhibits in a drawing, Panel of four pictures m1703.

When it finally returned to America, Freer remained loyally involved in exhibiting Whistler's work properly and prominently, and when this portrait was not, he felt, adequately displayed in Philadelphia, he complained to Hargrave Morrison (1817-1908):

'If, as you say ... the Whistlers were the "most attractive feature of the exhibition", then they certainly were entitled to be hung in the place of honor. In point of fact, they were shown in a far inferior location, and one in which the most important picture of the five, the "Little Lady Sophie", could not be properly seen.' ³⁶

By the terms of C. L. Freer's bequest to the Freer Gallery of Art, the painting cannot be lent to another venue.

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. 504), plate 324, as 'Rose and Gold: The Little Lady Sophie of Soho'.

Authored by Whistler

• None.

Catalogues 1855-1905

• 2nd Exhibition, Pictures, Drawings, Prints and Sculptures, International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, London, 1899 (cat. no. 138) as 'Rose and Gold - The little Lady Sophie of Soho' (de luxe edition), photogravure frontispiece.
• VIII. Internationale Kunst-Ausstellung, Königlicher Glaspalast, Munich, 1901 (cat. no. 1833a).
• Exposition Internationale de Peinture et de Sculpture, Galeries George Petit, Paris, 1901 (catalogue untraced).
• Seventy-second Annual Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, 1903 (cat. no. 3).
• Comparative exhibition of native and foreign art, Society of Art Collectors, New York, 1904 (cat. no. 180) as 'Rose and Gold – The Little Lady Sophie of Soho'.
• Oil Paintings, Water Colors, Pastels and Drawings: Memorial Exhibition of the Works of Mr. J. McNeill Whistler, Copley Society, Boston, 1904 (cat. no. 83) as ' "Rose and Gold – The Little Lady Sophie of Soho" '.
• Œuvres de James McNeill Whistler, Palais de l'Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1905 (cat. no. 37) as 'Rose et or. La petite lady Sophie, de Soho. – (Rose and Gold. The Little Lady Sophie of Soho.)'.
• L'oeuvre de James McNeill Whistler; quarante reproductions de chefs-d'oeuvre du maître... à Paris, au palais de l'École nationale des beaux-arts, Paris, 1905, pl. 25.

Newspapers 1855-1905

• Anon., 'At Knightsbridge, Daily Telegraph & Courier (London), 10 May 1899, p. 10.
• Anon., 'The Picture Galleries', Lloyd's Weekly Register, London, 14 May 1899, p. 4.
• Anon., ['Venatrix'], 'The International Society's Exhibition', Gentlewoman, London, 20 May 1899, p. 34.

Journals 1855-1905

• Matsuki, Bunkio (ed.), 'Whistler Memorial Exhibition', Lotus, vol. 1, no. 1, (Special Holiday Number in Memoriam: James A. McNeill Whistler), December 1903, pp. 7-9, at pp. 8-9.
• Wagnalls, Mary, 'The Little Lady Sophia of Soho', [NaN], vol. 4, no. 11, February 1904, pp. 25-27.

Monographs

• None.

Books on Whistler

• Cary, Elizabeth Luther, The Works of James McNeill Whistler: A Study, with a Tentative List of Artist’s Works, New York, 1907 p. 169 (cat. no. 80).
• Duret, Théodore, Histoire de J. McN. Whistler et de son oeuvre, Paris, 1904, wood engraving by Henry Wolf repr. f.p. 190.
• Gallatin, Albert Eugene, Whistler's Art Dicta and Other Essays, Boston, 1904, p. 42.
• Gallatin, Albert Eugene, Whistler, Notes and Footnotes, and other Memoranda, New York and London, 1907, p. 33.
• Laver, James, Whistler, London, 1930, p. 276.
• Merrill, Linda, With Kindest Regards. The Correspondence of Charles Lang Freer and James McNeill Whistler, 1890-1903, Washington, DC, and London, 1995, pp. 123-24, 126-27, 130, 132-33, 162, 164, repr. plate 12.
• Pennell, Elizabeth Robins, and Joseph Pennell, The Life of James McNeill Whistler, 2 vols, London and Philadelphia, 1908, vol. 2, p. 207, repr. f.p. 208.
• Pennell, Elizabeth Robins, and Joseph Pennell, The Whistler Journal, Philadelphia, 1921, pp. 77, 281.
• Petri, Grischka, Arrangement in Business: The Art Markets and the Career of James McNeill Whistler, Hildesheim, 2011, pp. 510, 518.
• Pousette-Dart, Nicholas, James McNeill Whistler, New York, 1924, repr. pl. 41.
• Sickert, Bernhard, Whistler, London and New York, 1908, p. 167 (cat. no. 118).

Books, General

• None.

Catalogues 1906-Present

COLLECTION:

• Curry, David Park, James McNeill Whistler at the Freer Gallery of Art, New York and London, 1984, p. 151, plate 60.
• Stubbs, Burns A., Paintings, Pastels, Drawings, Prints and Copper Plates by and attributed to American and European Artists, together with a List of Original Whistleriana in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1948, p. 14 (02.109).

EXHIBITIONS:

• Catalogue of the Inaugural Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, 1912, p. 40, repr.p. 41.

Journals 1906-Present

• 'Whistler Exhibition: the Metropolitan Museum of Art', Academy Notes, vol. 5, no. 2, April 1910.
• MacInnes, Margaret F., [M. F. MacDonald], 'Whistler's Last Years: Spring 1901 - Algiers and Corsica', Gazette des beaux-arts, vol. 73, 1969, pp. 323-42, at p. 331.
• Shaw, Edith, and Margaret F. MacInnes, 'Four Years with Whistler', Apollo, vol. 87, March 1968, pp. 198-201.

Websites

• Freer Gallery of Art website at https://asia.si.edu/object/F1902.109a-b; see also reproduction at https://asia.si.edu/object/F1908.241.2.

Unpublished

• Revillon, Joseph Whistler, Draft Catalogue Raisonné of the Paintings of J. McN. Whistler, [ca 1945-1955], Glasgow University Library (cat. no. 285).

Other

• None.