The Gentle Art of Making Enemies Part 7

_The Critic's Mind Considered_

How pleasing that such profound prattle should inevitably find its place in print! "Not precisely a symphony in white ... for there is a yellowish dress ... brown hair, etc.... another with reddish hair ...

and of course there is the flesh colour of the complexions."

_Bon Dieu!_ did this wise person expect white hair and chalked faces?

And does he then, in his astounding consequence, believe that a symphony in F contains no other note, but shall be a continued repet.i.tion of F, F, F.?... Fool!

Chelsea, June 1867.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_A Troubled One_

[Sidenote: _The World_, July 3, 1878.]

The "Season Number" of _Vanity Fair_ contains ... Mr. Whistler's etching of "St. James's Street" is sadly disappointing.

_Full Absolution_

[Sidenote: _The World_, July 10, 1878.]

Dear _World_--Atlas, overburdened with the world and its sins, may well be relieved from the weight of one wee error--a sort of last straw that bothers his back. The impression in _Vanity Fair_ that disappoints him is not an etching at all, but a reproduction for that paper by some transfer process.

Atlas has the wisdom of ages, and need not grieve himself with mere matters of art. "Il n'est pas necessaire que vous sachiez ces choses-la, mon reverend pere!"

Chelsea.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_"Confidences" with an Editor_

_TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HOUR."_

Sir,--I have read the intelligent remarks of your critic upon my pictures, and am happy to be able to remove, I think, the "melancholy"

impression left upon his mind by the supposition that "the best works are not of recent date." Permit me to rea.s.sure him, for the paintings he speaks of in glowing terms--notably "the full-length portrait of a young girl," which he overwhelms me by comparing to Velasquez, as well as the two life-size portraits in black, "in which there is an almost entire negation of colour" (though I, who am, he says, a colourist, did not know it)--are my latest works, and but just completed.

May I still farther correct a misconception? The etchings and dry-points in the gallery do not form a complete set. There are only fifty exhibited, making about half the number I have executed.

Again, it was from no feeling that "my works were not seen to advantage when placed in juxtaposition with those of an essentially different kind," that I "determined to have an exhibition of my own, where no discordant elements should distract the spectator's attention." It is true that occasionally it has been borne in upon my mind that those whose "works are of an essentially different kind,"

are unwilling to place mine in juxtaposition with their own.

My wish has been, though, to prove that the place in which works of art are shown may be made as free from "discordant elements which distract the spectators' attention" as the works themselves.

Marvelling greatly that the "principle" that has led me (in his eyes at least) to paint so that he speaks of me in the same breath with Velasquez, should be "founded on fallacy,"--I remain, sir, your obedient servant,

June 10, 1874.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_Critics "Copy"_

[Sidenote: _The World_, Dec. 8, 1880.]

At the Gallery of the Fine Art Society in New Bond Street, an exhibition has been opened of the etchings of Venice, executed by Mr.

Whistler. Exhibitions are sometimes of slender const.i.tution nowadays.

Mr. Whistler's etchings are twelve in number, of unimportant dimensions, and of the slightest workmanship. They convey a certain sense of distance and atmosphere, otherwise it cannot be said that they are of particular value or originality. They rather resemble vague first intentions, or memoranda for future use, than designs completely carried out. Probably every artist coming from Venice brings with him some such outlines as these in his sketch-books.

Apparently, so far as his twelve etchings are to be considered as evidence in the matter, Venice has not deeply stirred either Mr.

Whistler or his art.

_A Proposal_

[Sidenote: _The World_, Dec. 29, 1880.]

Atlas, _mon bon, mefiez-vous de vos gens!_ Your art gentleman says that Mr. Whistler exhibits twelve etchings, "slight in execution and unimportant in size." Now the private a.s.sa.s.sin you keep, for us, need not be hampered by mere connoisseurship in the perpetration of his duty--therefore, _pa.s.se_, for the execution--but he should not compromise his master's reputation for brilliancy, and print things that he who runs may scoff at.

Seriously, then, my Atlas, an etching does not depend, for its importance, upon its size. "I am not arguing with you--I am telling you." As well speak of one of your own charming _mots_ as unimportant in length!

Look to it, Atlas. Be severe with your man. Tell him his "job" should be "neatly done." I could cut my own throat better; and if need be, in case of his dismissal, I offer my services.

Meanwhile, yours joyously,

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_The Painter-Etcher Papers_