James McNeill Whistler (Amer./Brit.,1834-1903)
Portrait Of His Mother
1871/1905.
Photogravure, text with date “1905”, title and artist in plate above and below
image, publisher’s blind stamp in lower margin, 41.2 x 46.6cm (image). Slight
scuffs to image with small white marks to edges, slight foxing, tears and
creases to margins.
Text includes
“London & Washington, by the Fine Arts Publishing Co. Ltd, Charing Cross
House, London. Printed in England.” Stamp reads “Burlington Proof, Fine Arts
Publishing Co. Ltd. ”
Whistler’s
painting Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1, colloquially known
as Whistler’s Mother, was purchased by France in 1891. The painting
went on tour in the USA during the Great Depression and the image of the “stoic
mother” became an inspiration to the American people. Soon after seeing the
painting in 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was so impressed that he
designed a Mother’s Day stamp using the image, taking the painting to iconic
status.
Educated and
well-travelled, Anna Matilda (née McNeill) Whistler (1804-1881) was reputedly
chosen as the subject of the painting by default due to the original sitter
becoming unavailable. It is also believed that Whistler began preparatory studies
with his 67-year-old mother standing, but as she had been ill the pose proved
too tiring. At the time Whistler and his mother were living in Chelsea in
London.
Whistler’s mother was married to George Washington Whistler (1800-1849), a prominent civil engineer who was the first to equip steam locomotives with whistles. After her husband’s death, she wore black for the rest of her life. Ref: NGV; Wiki. Item #CL184-30
Price (AUD): 2450
