DOI Heft:
No. 128 (November, 1903)
DOI Artikel:Scott, William: Reminiscences of Whistler continued: some Venice recollections
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19880#0115
Whistler in Venice
" thin red wine " of the country, in large flasks at It was by Whistler's help that I gained my first
about sixpence a quart, was plentiful, and these notions of etching. He grounded my first plate
simple things, with the accompanying " flow of for me, and pulled the first proof that was taken
soul," made a feast for the gods. There was no from it. Well do I remember the curious, dark,
room for many guests at one time, but Henry rather damp, old - world printing place I had
Woods, Ruben, W. Graham, Butler, and Roussoff managed to discover in the neighbourhood of
(at that time only just taking up art) were often S. Lorenzo, where his Venetian plates were tried,
with us. The latter, a brilliant talker, masterful, It belonged to a mild vecc/iietto, who mainly got
combative, intolerant, had many a wordy battle- his living by printing tiny, cheap engravings of
royal with Whistler. saints for the churches ; but he had occasionally-
After breakfast the latest pastels used to be done more important things. It is easy to imagine
brought out for inspection, but no one was allowed his astonishment at our friend's requirements and
to touch them. Whistler would always show his way of work, but to me the experience there
sketches in his own way, or not at all. In the obtained was invaluable.
absence of a proper easel and a proper light they One day I discovered a very picturesque " bit,"
were usually laid upon the floor. etched it at once, and showed the plate to
I remember that an elderly American lady, at Whistler. The subject was one after his own
that time very well known in Venice, succeeded in heart, and his remark was characteristic. " But
inducing Whistler to promise that he would show where is it ?" he said. I replied that I had not
his sketches at one of her "at homes." They were noticed the name of the street, but that it was
placed in the portfolio with his usual delicate care, somewhere in the Ghetto. "But, my dear fellow,"
and off we went in the gondola to pay the visit, said " Jimmy," " don't you know, when you find a
On the way Whistler repented of his rashness, and subject like that, you should come and tell me. I
decided to leave the drawings in the boat, saying ought to etch that ! " The next morning betimes,
he could easily have them brought in by the gon- abandoning his boat, he took his gondolier, and
dolierifhe decided that the company was a suitable wandered about for hours till he found the subject,
one. He was not favourably impressed, and the and then made a pastel of it, which he showed to
hostess, as well as her guests, had to put up with me triumphantly that evening when we met at
a disappointment, for "Jimmy" declared that he dinner.
hadn't brought anything. One of the pleasures he sometimes gave his
"the marine store" by j. McNeill whistler
(By permission of J. J. Coivany Esq.)
98
" thin red wine " of the country, in large flasks at It was by Whistler's help that I gained my first
about sixpence a quart, was plentiful, and these notions of etching. He grounded my first plate
simple things, with the accompanying " flow of for me, and pulled the first proof that was taken
soul," made a feast for the gods. There was no from it. Well do I remember the curious, dark,
room for many guests at one time, but Henry rather damp, old - world printing place I had
Woods, Ruben, W. Graham, Butler, and Roussoff managed to discover in the neighbourhood of
(at that time only just taking up art) were often S. Lorenzo, where his Venetian plates were tried,
with us. The latter, a brilliant talker, masterful, It belonged to a mild vecc/iietto, who mainly got
combative, intolerant, had many a wordy battle- his living by printing tiny, cheap engravings of
royal with Whistler. saints for the churches ; but he had occasionally-
After breakfast the latest pastels used to be done more important things. It is easy to imagine
brought out for inspection, but no one was allowed his astonishment at our friend's requirements and
to touch them. Whistler would always show his way of work, but to me the experience there
sketches in his own way, or not at all. In the obtained was invaluable.
absence of a proper easel and a proper light they One day I discovered a very picturesque " bit,"
were usually laid upon the floor. etched it at once, and showed the plate to
I remember that an elderly American lady, at Whistler. The subject was one after his own
that time very well known in Venice, succeeded in heart, and his remark was characteristic. " But
inducing Whistler to promise that he would show where is it ?" he said. I replied that I had not
his sketches at one of her "at homes." They were noticed the name of the street, but that it was
placed in the portfolio with his usual delicate care, somewhere in the Ghetto. "But, my dear fellow,"
and off we went in the gondola to pay the visit, said " Jimmy," " don't you know, when you find a
On the way Whistler repented of his rashness, and subject like that, you should come and tell me. I
decided to leave the drawings in the boat, saying ought to etch that ! " The next morning betimes,
he could easily have them brought in by the gon- abandoning his boat, he took his gondolier, and
dolierifhe decided that the company was a suitable wandered about for hours till he found the subject,
one. He was not favourably impressed, and the and then made a pastel of it, which he showed to
hostess, as well as her guests, had to put up with me triumphantly that evening when we met at
a disappointment, for "Jimmy" declared that he dinner.
hadn't brought anything. One of the pleasures he sometimes gave his
"the marine store" by j. McNeill whistler
(By permission of J. J. Coivany Esq.)
98