Documents associated with: Jones, Emelie Eyre
Record 9 of 10
System Number: 09464
Date: [September 1868/March 1869][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: Stephen Tucker[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Published
Document Type: PLfc[3]
2 Lindsay Row,
Chelsea
Dear Tucker.
[...] I am very glad that you have kindly written again and not been too much annoyed at my inexplicable silence to care to come at all. [...] I am at present in that same disagreable and inhospitable state of work[4] that dulled my place in Great Russell Street [...] Every hour of light is greedily hugged [...]
J. A. McN. Whistler.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [September 1868/March 1869]
Dated from Lindsay Row address, and reference to Great Russell Street. The reference suggests that this letter may date from shortly after JW's time at Great Russell Street, perhaps the late summer of 1868.
2. Stephen Tucker
Stephen Isaacson Tucker (1835-1887), collector, genealogist and Queen's Herald [more].
3. PLfc
Extract published in American Art Association sale catalogue, New York, 8-9 February 1927, item 322.
4. work
JW took a studio from his friend Frederick Jameson (1839-1916), architect and musician [more], at 62 Great Russell Street between January and March 1868 whilst Jameson was away. He worked there from the model Emelie ('Milly') Eyre Jones (b. ca 1851), model, later wife of F. H. Robson [more], perhaps on Symphony in White, No. 3 (YMSM 61). He may also have worked in the studio for several months after October 1868 (see F. Jameson to E. R. Pennell, 23 October 1906, PWC 289/2295-6) when he was at work on The Three Girls (YMSM 88). Jameson's account confirms JW's dissatisfaction with the progress of his work during this period: 'The 7 months Whistler & I lived at 62 Great Russell St were unproductive & uneventful. He was working at some Japanese pictures, one of which, quite unfinished was hung at the late exhibition of his pictures. I have seen that one - at least, large portions of it - apparently completely finished but they never satisfied him, and were shaved down to the bed rock mercilessly [...] He knew his powers of course, but he was painfully aware of his defects - in drawing for instance. I can remember with verbal accuracy some very striking talks we had on this subject.' (see F. Jameson to J. Pennell, 18 September 1906, PWC 289/2288-9).