DOI Artikel:
Reddie, Arthur: A painter of out-door life: Frederic Whiting, R.B.A.
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.43455#0125
Frederic IF kiting, R.B.A.
under the direction of Philip Calderon, R.A.
Here he had the advantage of some teaching from
Mr. Sargent, but in these student days one gathers
that Mr. Whiting was hardly the indefatigable
worker that he is to-day. He occupied himself—
being seized with profound admiration for Charles
Keene and Phil May and other masters of black-
and-white—with making numbers of pen-and-ink
sketches. Some of these he showed to Mr. W. L.
Thomas of “The Graphic,” who was most en-
couraging to the young artist. During the last two
years Mr. 'Whiting was in the schools he executed
a good deal of work for “ The Graphic ” and for
the “ Daily Graphic ” in particular. After four and
a half years at the Academy Mr. Whiting went for a
year to Paris and spent six months of that time at
Julian’s under Jean Paul Laurens and Benjamin
Constant. On his return
to England he was offered
a post on “The Graphic”
staff, but though he did a
good deal in the way of
military and sporting
sketches for that journal,
he declined the permanent
appointment.
Just about this time,
early in 1900, there broke
out in China the terrible
rising of the Boxers, and
Mr. Whiting went out for
“The Graphic” as their
correspondent. After the
eventful and terrible times
in Pekin, and when all was
quiet again and order re¬
stored, he remained on in
North China, and it is one
of his ambitions to return
there some day to paint in
that wonderful land. Here,
he says, are magnificent
subjects for the artist—
schemes of colour, blue
and dun, and crude bar-
baric pageantry in the
sombre and drearily im¬
pressive funeral and wed¬
ding processions.
Back in England again
he worked at intervals
for “The Graphic,”
sometimes abroad or at
the manoeuvres. In
1904 the Russo-Japanese War broke out, and
again Mr. Whiting acted as special correspon-
dent for “ The Graphic.” He accompanied the
second Japanese army in Manchuria, and, among
other incidents of the campaign, was present
at the great battles of Nan-Shan, Liao-yang,
and Sha-ho. At the close of hostilities Mr.
Whiting returned to England, visiting Japan and
the United States en route. An excellent literary
appointment on one of the leading London dailies
was offered to him, but having now decided to
devote himself whole-heartedly to painting he
declined this tempting offer, and set to work in
earnest to follow the path he had determined for
himself. In 1909 he joined the Langham Sketch
Club and renewed old acquaintanceships there, and
in this friendly circle worked every night for two
“MISS LYSTER ” (WATER-COLOUR) by FREDERIC WHITING, R.B.A.
(By permission op the Hon. Mrs. Lyster)
110
under the direction of Philip Calderon, R.A.
Here he had the advantage of some teaching from
Mr. Sargent, but in these student days one gathers
that Mr. Whiting was hardly the indefatigable
worker that he is to-day. He occupied himself—
being seized with profound admiration for Charles
Keene and Phil May and other masters of black-
and-white—with making numbers of pen-and-ink
sketches. Some of these he showed to Mr. W. L.
Thomas of “The Graphic,” who was most en-
couraging to the young artist. During the last two
years Mr. 'Whiting was in the schools he executed
a good deal of work for “ The Graphic ” and for
the “ Daily Graphic ” in particular. After four and
a half years at the Academy Mr. Whiting went for a
year to Paris and spent six months of that time at
Julian’s under Jean Paul Laurens and Benjamin
Constant. On his return
to England he was offered
a post on “The Graphic”
staff, but though he did a
good deal in the way of
military and sporting
sketches for that journal,
he declined the permanent
appointment.
Just about this time,
early in 1900, there broke
out in China the terrible
rising of the Boxers, and
Mr. Whiting went out for
“The Graphic” as their
correspondent. After the
eventful and terrible times
in Pekin, and when all was
quiet again and order re¬
stored, he remained on in
North China, and it is one
of his ambitions to return
there some day to paint in
that wonderful land. Here,
he says, are magnificent
subjects for the artist—
schemes of colour, blue
and dun, and crude bar-
baric pageantry in the
sombre and drearily im¬
pressive funeral and wed¬
ding processions.
Back in England again
he worked at intervals
for “The Graphic,”
sometimes abroad or at
the manoeuvres. In
1904 the Russo-Japanese War broke out, and
again Mr. Whiting acted as special correspon-
dent for “ The Graphic.” He accompanied the
second Japanese army in Manchuria, and, among
other incidents of the campaign, was present
at the great battles of Nan-Shan, Liao-yang,
and Sha-ho. At the close of hostilities Mr.
Whiting returned to England, visiting Japan and
the United States en route. An excellent literary
appointment on one of the leading London dailies
was offered to him, but having now decided to
devote himself whole-heartedly to painting he
declined this tempting offer, and set to work in
earnest to follow the path he had determined for
himself. In 1909 he joined the Langham Sketch
Club and renewed old acquaintanceships there, and
in this friendly circle worked every night for two
“MISS LYSTER ” (WATER-COLOUR) by FREDERIC WHITING, R.B.A.
(By permission op the Hon. Mrs. Lyster)
110