Whistler's prints of Venice

Magazine Antiques, April, 2001 by Miriam Kramer

In 1876 a group of collectors formed the Fine Art Society, a gallery to promote contemporary artists through one-man shows, which was then a radical notion. The 125th anniversary of the society is being celebrated with a series of exhibitions highlighting the broad range of artists and styles on view at the gallery over the years. The society has always been located at 148 New Bond Street in London, where it has held a number of pioneering exhibitions. In 1890, for example, the first European show of Hokusai's works was held there, and, in 1912, there was a display of set and costume designs by Leon Bakst to coincide with the arrival in England of the Ballets Russes.

James McNeill Whistler particularly benefited from the progressive outlook of the society. In 1879, shortly after he lost the libel action against John Ruskin, Whistler was commissioned by the Fine Art Society to produce a portfolio of prints of Venice. This gave him a lifeline back to solvency although the original exhibition of the twelve etchings at the society was not a financial success for the gallery. Of the hundred sets of the prints made, only eight sold. Whistler inscribed each print in pencil, which was a novelty at the time.

A loan exhibition entitled Palaces in the Night: Whistler in Venice is on view at the society from May 3 until May 10. There is no catalogue, but the exhibition coincides with the publication of a book of the same title by Margaret F. MacDonald. It is published in England by Lund Humphries and distributed in the United States beginning in July by the University of California Press. It can be ordered by telephoning 800-999-1958.