The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-07
WHISTLER VS.. RUSKIN.
The American Artist Sues the
DiscoVerer of Turner.
NOCTURNES AND ARRANGEMENTS.
What Whistler Says About
His Own Art.


ston and special jury, of action to recover dam
ages for libel brought by Mr.. James Abbott McNeill
Whistler the distinguished and erratc American art
ist against the famous John Ruskin the art critic and
author. The licl said to consist of criticism
which had been written by Mr. Ruskn upon the plain
tffs paintings ut the Grosvenor Gallery and which,
on the I'd Of July, 1877. appeared in the Fo's
Ctapagera. That criticism in the following
terms:--
Lastly, the mannerisms and errors of these pic
lures tneaning some pictures by Mr. Burne Jones),
whatever may be their extent affected or
indolent. The work is natural to the painter. how
ever strange to us; and it is wrought with utmost
conscience of care however far to his or our de-
SIRE the result may yet be incomplete. Scarcely so
much can be said for other pictures of the modern
schools; their eccentricities are almost always in
degree forced, and their imperfectous gratui-
tously, II not impertinently, INDUCED. For Mr..
Whislers own sake. no less than for the protection
OF the purchaser, Sir Coutts Lindsay ought not to
have admitted works into the gallery in which the ill
educated conceit of the artist nearly approached
the aspect OF wilful imposture. have seen and
heard much Of cockney iinpudence before now, but
mover expected to hear coxcomb ask 200 gulneas Tor
dtngtng pot OF paint in the public's face.
Mr.. Sergeant Parry and Mr.. Petheram INSTRUCTED
by Mr.. Anderson Rose appeared for the plaintiff and
the Attorney General and Mr.. Bowen for the de-
PENDANT.
Mr.. Sergeant Parry. in opening the case stated that
some of his clients works, he thought he was not
wrong in saying destined TO Immortality. and
it was the surprising therefore, that gentle
man holding such position as Mr.. Ruskn could
traduce another in way which would lead that
other to into court Of law to ask for damages.
Mr.. Whistler not merely artist, but was an
echer and had achieved considerable honors in that
department of art. The libel had appeared in pub
LEGATION which had large circulation among artists
and patrons and the fact of it's large circulation
was Of Importance. The language used in the arti-
Gle could not in any ordinary sense be considered
privileged largo number of Mr.. Whisters pic
lures would be exhibited to the jury. He trusted
the case would be fairly tried and that no attempt
would be made to ridicule his client.
wHIsTLRR's TESTIMONY.
The plaintiff then put upon the stand and ex-
amned by Mr.. petheram. The following evidence
was adduced after he had given the points Of his
career up to date:-
AT the summer exhibition of 1877 I exhibited some
pictures at the Grosvenor Gallery.
Q. Was that in consequence Of any request? A.
There is exhibition there except by invitation by
Sir Coutts Lindsay; exhibited eight pictures there,
in addition to the portrait; the first was
"Nocturne in Black aud Gold. the second
"Nocturne in Blue and silver" the third moe
turne in Blue and Gold" the fourth "Nocturne in
Blue and Silver" the Nth an Arrangement in
Black" driving az Philip H., the sixth 'Har-
mony in Amber and Black, the seventh an ar
rangement in Brown" and in addition to these there
was portrait of Mr.. Carlyle; that portrait was
painted from sittings which Mr. Carlyle gave me;
the artists proofs were all subscribed for when the
portrait engraved; before the pictures went to
the lirosyenor all the nocturnos except one were
disposed Of; two Of them were sold to the Hon.
Percy WyndhaM.
Mr.. Graham in lieu OF IN earlier commission for
$50 guineas; the third presented to Mrs. Layland
Gold" and the price fixed for it was 200 guireas.
O. You know the publication called Fors CLavigera2
Yes and my impression is thar 1t has an extensive
o. Since the publication Of this criticism have you
sold "Nocturne" A. Not by any means at the same
O. What pictures have You been able to get to-day
inspection Of those that in the Grosvenor
aud .sihomas Carlyle;" could obtain no more
Q. Is the sold to Mr.. Wyndham here? Al ex-
pected it, but telegram came saying 1t could not be
Q. Is the picture Of Irving Philip H." finished
picture? A. 1t is large impression, sketch but 1t
not intended as a finished picture: IL was not
hibited for sae there were paintings exhibited
for sale but the "Nocturne in Black and Gold"
.. What is your definition OF nocturne I? A. /
have perhaps. meant rather to indicate artistic in
terest alone in the work, divestng the picture from
otherwise attached to it, ii Is arrangement of line
form aud color first, and make OF any incident
of it which shall bring abouta symmetrical result
among my works are some night pieces and have
chosen the word nocturne because it geueraizes
simplifes the whole set OF them.
NEEDED
Cross-examincd by the Attorney General have
done some etchings Of scenes down the river as well
rs paintings Of them.
have not been received A. believe that is the
pericnce Of all artists; Haughtcrl
ture which was not hung? A. The last time sent
picture 70 the Academy which refused three
or four years ago and the advancement was called
er's Mother"
q. That was the same picture which was afterward
q. Did you send to the Academy any OF the seven
which were afterward exhibited in tho Grosvenor
Gallery A. No.
o. What is tho subject of the 'Nocturne ia Black
and Golda" A. 1t is night piece, and represents the
firewor ut CreInornc
q. Not a view of Cremorne? A. If il called
view of Crcnorne it would certainly bring about
nothing but disappointment on the part OF the be-
Observation-Disclosures is an artistic arrangement.
o. You do not think that any member OF the public
would 20 to Crcmorne because he your picture
laughter)Y A. do not know how TO describe the
pcture; IL is simply arrangement of color; that
for sale, and the price marked was 200 guineas.
a. And 200 guineas was the amount you thought
ftand proper price for it? a. Yes.
O. Is zoo guineas pretty good price for picture
Of an artist OF reputation A. Yes.
O. 1t is what we who are not artists should call
stiiash price? A. think very likely it would be
O. You know Mr. Ruslin as an art critic ? A. Yes;
he has written Some works on art; believe Stones
Of Venice" Is his; know that Modern painters''
IL his.
artist should not allow picture TO go from his hand
when he. by any labor he can bestow upon it,
improve it? A. Very likely.
q. And that his view is that an artist should give
good value for money, and not endeavor to get tho
highest price A. Very likely.
A. ARTISTS do not cndeavor TO get the highest price
for their work irrespective of yalucl A. That So
and am glad to see the principle well established
Iaughter.)
Mr.. Baron Huddleston-Ar propose TO give full
value for their money A. Yes.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION.
Mr.. Sergeant ParrySo does every honorable dealer,
my lord
cross-cxamination contnued-Tho "Nocturne in
Black and Gold" was finished picture; IL was not
picture OF two colors only; there every color
the palette in IT, AZ there Is in every painting; the
picture In blue and silver Is the Thames
by summer night there another ''Nocturne in
Blue and Silver" which also river scene; the
arrangement IN black Mr. Irving Philip H. have
not attempted 20 sell.
q. Why do you call Mr.. Irving arrangement in
black? Iaughtcr.)
Mr. Baron HuddlestonIti IL the picture and not Mr..
Irving who Is the arrangement. u.aughtcr,.
Tho Attorney Gcneral--What the Arrange.
ment In Amber and IIlackY' A. II young lady
an amber dress with black ground; the ARRANGE
mcnt in Brown" similar these were Impressions