Well, this thread takes on a new life.
WHISTLER COMES TO THE SACRAMENTO AREA!!!!!!
So long as a one hour drive is in the "area." Which it is.
Yes, the
Hunterian Museum and Gallery in Glasgow has sent a collection of 120 paintings, lithos, etchings, and personal possessions of James McNeill Whistler to the
Nevada Museum of Art, in Reno.
Those of you from elsewhere might not know that Reno is an easy freeway drive from Sacramento. Thus, a review of the exhibit appeared today in the Sacramento Bee. (See it yourself:
www.SacTicket.com) No, that's not a linky, I don't know how to do those.
Even the Bay Area folk could make it, though it's a 4 hour drive for y'all. You could see the Whistler stuff, then go lose money
Apparently, this is his personal collection, the stuff he chose to keep and live with. There's a self-portrait, a study for "Gold and Brown", which is at the National Gallery. There's "Little Lizzie Willis". There's "Annabel Lee" (like many Brits at the time, he was smitten by Poe), and there are many examples of his Asian art.
I wasn't in on the original thread here, but I've long admired Whistler, as well as J. S. Sargeant. Both Americans, they adopted England, then went continental but stopped short of Impressionism though drawn to its spirit.
There are many copperplate etchings also in the exhibit, which runs through Jan. 7. Fortunate for me. Several school holidays come between now and then, so long as there is a break from bad weather. Reno is high Sierra desert and one must pass through Donner Pass to get there. Yes, there's a Donner Diner, and it's well worth visiting for the cheap jokes available.
To be seen in Reno:
"The Thames Set". Etchings with bridges and ships and warehouses, realistic and precise.
"The Venice Etchings". Atmospheric renderings strongly influenced by Japanese artists he admired. (Manet and Cassatt also went for the Japanese.) Included is "The Palaces", which depicts two Palazzos on the southwest bank of the Grand Canal.
Two of the
"Hokusai" prints from 36 Views of Mt. Fuji.
All 6 of the
"Ms. Ethel" paintings. This was his sister put into clothing she probably didn't own or even wear, just to make her look good.
Letters. In his hand.
The
"Ten O'Clock Lecture" itself, in his hand.
Various possessions of the artist. He kept them around cuz he liked them. Most are
silver and porcelain.
Anyone up for a mini-moot of Californians? Or others? Yes, it means going to Reno. I'll be sure to thank
Angel and Alice for the loan.
Whistler, why are these items in a Glasgow museum? I'll look into it myself, but you might know something here.
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