UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

The Corresponence of James McNeil Whistler
Home > On-line Edition > Transcription/Database Record

the on-line edition

System Number: 00038
Date: [13 October 1899?][1]
Author: JW
Place: Pourville-sur-Mer
Recipient: Inez Addams[2]
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler A38
Document Type: ALS[3]


This time but two words -

Portrait of the Parisienne[4] - excellent, seems to promise charmingly -

Head of the little Mr Harris[5] - rather regret your having engaged your self with - for conceive him to be impossible - quite - Still don't [p. 2] let this prevent your finishing your work - the little person himself you can finish when he "presents himself" - You remember he is not to come in -

The English girl[6] - I think I should not go to her own atelier at present -

Mr. B—[7] - Also I am of opinion that it should never be supposed possible that the Apprentice, of mysterious Office, could[8] call upon the outer student for the purposes of amicably dispensing, in his hovel, the rays of golden hope she brings from above! What then shall she do col[l]oguing with the Candidate!! -

You might say - or let it be known that Mr Whistler is about to return from his travels - and probably by the end of next week will appear at the Academie -

That important work[9] in London may, however retain him yet a few days -

In short you know what to say while I am [p. 3] still kept away - without allowing too much questioning -

À bientot!

J McN W

Meanwhile write

Mind
Pourville[10] - sur Mer


This document is protected by copyright.


Notes:

1.  [13 October 1899?]
Dated from the references to candidates applying to the Académie Carmen; see JW's letter to I. Addams, #00037. It may have been sent in an envelope bearing the postmark [13 October 1899], #00041.

2.  Inez Addams
Inez Eleanor Addams (fl. 1898-1927), née Bate, painter [more]. This letter relates to the Academie Carmen, the Paris atelier opened by Carmen Rossi, model, proprietess of the Académie Carmen [more], where JW taught occasionally from 1898-1901. Addams was one of its first students. She became legally articled to JW as an apprentice on 20 July 1899 (see indentureship, #00019) and also acted as studio massière. See also JW to I. Addams, #00038, #00037.

3.  ALS
There is a mourning border on pp. 1 and 3.

4.  Portrait of the Parisienne
Unidentified.

5.  Head of the little Mr Harris
Unidentified.

6.  English girl
Unidentified.

7.  Mr. B—
Probably Frank Ernest Beresford (1881-1967), artist [more].

8.  could
Double underlined.

9.  important work
Double underlined.

10.  Pourville
Double underlined.