The Gentle Art of Making Enemies

WHISTLER, JAMES MCNEILL

Published by London William Heinemann 1895

About this Item

First Edition, First Printing. Signed presentation copy by James McNeill Whistler to fellow American expatriate painter George Hitchcock. Inscribed: ÒTo George Hitchcock - souvenir of stirring times! [Signed with WhistlerÕs Butterfly signature].Ó WhistlerÕs account of his sensational libel suit against art critic John Ruskin. Ruskin, at the initial debut at the Grosvenor Gallery, wrote a vicious review that Whistler's now acclaimed oil painting of exploding fireworks at night, ÔNocturne in Black and Gold Ð The Falling RocketÕ was "flinging a pot of paint in the public's face." Whistler won a tiny sum but ruined himself financially in the process. The bookÕs recipient, George Hitchcock (1850-1913) was a friend of WhistlerÕs. Ironically, he developed some angered feeling towards Whistler. Hitchcock had prepared a London exhibition of his own work scheduled to open on April 23, 1892. Hitchcock canceled his exhibition believing that his work would be overlooked because WhistlerÕs art dealer was presenting a showing of WhistlerÕs work beginning on March 19, 1892, and that Whistler would receive all the attention, though Whistler, himself, was unaware that there was any problem in scheduling. The book is a very good copy with rubbing and wear at the extremities and the boards. Enclosed in a morocco and cloth clamshell box. Seller Inventory # 15174J

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Gentle Art of Making Enemies

Publisher: London William Heinemann 1895

Binding: Hardcover

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition