Whistler, best known in his lifetime for his controversial nocturnes, harmonies, and arrangements in paint, also created numerous pastels. Robert H. Getscher (art, John Carroll Univ.) has compiled a handsome collection of Whistler's pastels; the major focus is pastels executed in 1879-80 while Whistler was in Venice preparing for a London exhibit in 1881. Getscher's introduction briefly outlines Whistler's life and his unique approach to pastels as he developed and improved his skills. Extensive notes and commentary accompany 65 color images, many never before reproduced. Getscher's text is insightful, authoritative, and well documented; he includes reviews of the 1881 exhibit, thus providing insight into the critical environment of Whistler's time. This is a book for art lovers as well as scholars.

This book brings together for the first time almost seventy of Whistler's most beautiful,unusual, and important pastels, drawn from collections world-wide. Many of them have never been reproduced before and are too frag ile for exhibition.

Pastel was central to Whistler's development as an artist. It ideally suited his interests and skills, offering him all the freedom of the brush with the discrimination of the etching needle. Whether lightly scumbled, streaked,or carefully delineated by pastel, his subjects alternated between1 his sources of inspiration and the process by which he recreated them.Whistler invites us to enjoy at the same time the breathtaking visions before him and the glorious exchanges among his chosen hues.

With pure color as his vehicle and his subject, he could use nature as "a warehouse,piled with the raw materials of art, all there for the taking." For this reason, his 'notes,symphonies, harmornies, and nocturnes' resonate surprisingly modern chords.

INTRODUCTION

"L'ENVOIE"

"MR. WHISTLER AND HIS CRITICS"

WHISTLER PASTELS

APPENDIX I : Thumbnail Sketches by Thomas Way, Jr.

APPENDIX II : A Page from Punch

APPENDIX III : Selected Reviews of the 1881 Fine Art Society Exhibition of Whistler's Venetian Pastels

NOTES TO THE INTRODUCTION

NOTES TO THE COMMENTARIES ON THE PASTELS

SELECTED READINGS

LIST OF PLATES

PHOTO CREDITS