Letters of James McNeill Whistler

July 3, 2003 2:56 PM

In honor of the centenary of the artist's death, the Centre for Whistler Studies at the University of Glasgow is releasing an Online Centenary Edition of the correspondence of James McNeill Whistler (bio, images). Part I of the edition, just released, includes about 1,700 fully annotated and cross-referenced letters from 1855-1880, which can be searched by, among other things, subject and the work of art discussed--including the famous "Portrait of the Painter's Mother" (image). By next year, the edition will include over 8,000 letters that together illuminate the life of one of America's first master artists.
posted by arco (4 comments total)

Thanks arco - this is excellent. I love the way his letters are linked to notes and artwork - a great way to read them, and another great use of the web. I've never spent much time studying Whistler - maybe this will be the catalyst.
posted by madamjujujive at 5:45 PM on July 3, 2003

Childish:
Search text = hot mom 0 documents found.
posted by abez at 7:25 PM on July 3, 2003

I love how he goes to town on colour in this letter to Latour ('splendid bride... magnificent mistress... swanky tart'). Yes, great site, though I wished there were at least thumbnails of the paintings being referenced (if there are, and I missed them, colour me an idiot).

I think it is time I revisted the Tate even just for this one.
posted by spandex at 2:59 AM on July 4, 2003

really good - thanks!
posted by plep at 5:24 AM on July 4, 2003