System Number: 06825
Date: [30 January/February 1899][1]
Author: JW
Place: [Paris]
Recipient: Académie Carmen[2]
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler W814
Document Type: PD[3]
Proposition
Un tableau est achevé lorsque toute trace des moyens employés pour obtenir le résultat a disparu. -
Dire d'un tableau, comme on fait souvent à sa louange, qu'il laisse voir un grand et serieux labeur, est dire qu'il est incomplet et indigne d'être vu.
L'application dans l'Art est une nécessité - non une vertu - et tout appararence qu'on en découvre dans l'oeuvre produite, est un défaut, non une qualité; une preuve, non de perfection, mais de travail absoluement insuffisant - car le travail seul peut effacer la Trace du Travail. -
L'ouvrage du Maitre ne sent pas la sueur de son front - ne suggère aucun effort - et est finie depuis le commencement. -
La tache completée de la seule perceverance, n'a jamais été commencée, et restera éternellement inachevée - un monument de bonne volonté et de sottise.
"Il y a celui qui travaille, qui prend de la peine, qui se hâte, et qui reste d'autant plus en arrière."
Le chef d'oeuvre doit apparaitre comme la fleur au peintre - parfaite dans son bouton comme dans son épanouissement - sans raison pour expliquer sa présence - sans mission à remplir - une joie pour l'Artiste - une illusion pour le philanthrope - une énigme pour le botaniste - un accident de sentiment et d'allitération pour le litérateur.
[butterfly signature]
This document is protected by copyright.
Translation:
A picture is finished when all trace of the means used to bring about the end has disappeared.
To say of a picture, as is often said in its praise, that it shows great and earnest labour, is to say that it is incomplete and unfit for view.
Industry in Art is a necessity - not a virtue - and any evidence of the same, in the production, is a blemish, not a quality; a proof, not of achievement, but of absolutely insufficient work, for work alone will efface the footsteps of work.
The work of the master reeks not of the sweat of the brow - suggests no effort - and is finished from its beginning.
The completed task of perseverance only has never been begun, and will remain unfinished to eternity - a monument of goodwill and foolishness.
"There is one that laboureth, and taketh pains, and maketh haste, and is so much the more behind."
The masterpiece should appear as the flower to the painter - perfect in its bud as in its bloom - with no reason to explain its presence - no mission to fulfill - a joy to the artist - a delusion to the philanthropist - a puzzle to the botanist - an accident of sentiment and alliteration to the literary man.
[butterfly signature]
Notes:
1. [January /February 1899]
The original version of this translation was made in January, and when JW thanked Théodore Duret, he suggested 's'acharne' in place of 'travaille' as a translation of 'laboureth' (JW to Duret, 30 January 1899, #09659). This revised version of the translation probably dates from shortly after JW's letter.
2. Academie Carmen
The Paris atelier operated by Carmen Rossi, model, proprietess of the Académie Carmen [more], from 1898-1901.
3. PD
This is a lithographic copy of JW's hand-written copy of a translation into French of JW's Proposition No. 2, made by Théodore Duret (1838-1927), art critic and collector [more]. The Pennells note that Duret made a translation of A Further Proposition (originally published in July 1886, #13166), and both English and French versions were hung on the walls of the Académie Carmen in Paris in February 1899, while this lithographed text was hung there the following month (see Pennell, Elizabeth Robins, and Joseph Pennell, The Life of James McNeill Whistler, 2 vols, London and Philadelphia, 1908, vol. 2, p. 236). For the printed text in English, first published in the catalogue for 'Notes' - 'Harmonies' - 'Nocturnes', Messrs Dowdeswell, London, 1884, see #13163; for a manuscript copy in English, see #09542. For a second lithographed Proposition, see #06826. The translations and references to JW's texts are at #06793; #13379; #00991; #06826; #13818; #00992; #13816; #06825; #09659.