The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-11
[HISTLER WROTE IN SPEED
Dr. WILL II. Lows LETTER GOT
IN HIM TO ne ANSWERED.

I'm HIM TO he ANSWERED.
A., Least that's the Chronology That Lin.
.ers in the Cis-Atisntic Artists Mind
MIN the Nome ont reversal Bronx. in
., Air Now Soft With the Summer to he
vii n Low, in the delightful repose Of
o.o,,ville, a region in these balmy days
- t,r ms possible removed from the as
,o,itv Of the normal Whistlerian atmos-
share was asked yesterday II he did not
tse that h. should now make public his
LATER to J. Mcneil Whistler about the
rscent disturbance in the Society OF Ameri-
AN Artists. over the three Whistler paint
,nns inasmuch as Mr.. Whistler had sent
~ THE St'S his reply TO Mr.. Lows letter.
Mr. Low hesitated becomingly for a
,,,one,,-hastc in that bucolic retreat
would he scardalous- and answered that
la had considered the incident closed;
t,, that, az blunt fact, Mr.. Whistler's
letter was not a reply to any letter from
NJ Low, and the characterization of II
assuch was a peculiarly Whistlerian fancy.
Mfr Whistler, /, will be remembered,
wrote TO The sun u had waited for Mr..
low TO publish my reply to letter from
himself concerning the withdrawal Of my
pictures from the Society of American
Artists
Mr. Low said that Mr.. Whistler had been
advised by cable Of the incident of the
withdrawal of the paintings. Who sent
the despatch Mr.. Low did not care to say,
hut he had not sent it. In view Of the
ownership Of tho pictures. it seems not
improbable that Charles l., Freer may
have done tile cabling, it was said in art
quarters Yesterday.
Be that as it may, Mr.. Low said that
he presently received from Whistler
cable gram in which Whistler expressed
thanks to him for his rare and unhesitat-
ing support in connection with the picture
incident,
This was as near as Mr.. Low recalled
The wording of the despatch, which he did
not AT the restful moment in Bronxville,
have at hand. This formal expression OF
BY brief letter, and thought no more
of the matter until some days later he re-
ceyed from Whistler the letter published
in Saturdays sun
From the date of this letter, it appeared
that Mr. Whistler had written it at the
same time that he had sent his cable to Mr..
Low As the letter indicated what Mr.,
Low thought was inadequate information
Of the facts on Mr. Whistler's part, and az
Mr.. Low knew that the newspaper &C,
of the incident had been sent to Whistler.
including the particularly and altogether
charming account in THE SUN. which
pictured me as going out OF the galleries
In the arms Of Mr.. Cox he concluded
10 write Whistler second letter telling all
the facts.
Mr. Whistler, he said. had apparently
waited until the receipt Of that compre-
hensive letter, and had then sent to The
SrS's London office, for cabling to New
York, a copy Of his original letter to Mr.,
cabled Low.
1t was intimated to me-" Mr.. Low said,
that Mr.. Whistler would not be displeased
il | put his letter to me in the way OF publ
Wholly personal letter, there was nothing
said in it OF wish that it be published,
and then, knew that the columns of our
press were always open to Mr.. Whistler
Nothing could be more charming than
compliment to Mr.. Whistlers lack Of need
for any press agent whatsoever came as
delicious as the fragrant breezes that blew
gently, through the blossom-laden trees,
society--for at the request OF the society
he Withdrew his resignation and therefore
ia still of the membership-he did not feel
that he could we'll make public Whistler's
letter, since 1t criticised the society some
what. His resignation was rendered in
the first place, Mr.. Low said, not in the
slightest spirit OF pique, but solely to leave
him free to act Independently, as he felt
Obliged to act in view of the fact that he
as an individual had obtained the loan
Of the three Whistler paintings from Mr..
Freer.
Mr. Low said that the published versions
Of the story of the unshown MINISTER'S
were incorrect in asserting that he had
demanded either the centre OF the north
wall or the centre Of the east wall OF the
Vanderbilt gallery for Whistler's work.
As matter of fact never had thought
Of moving the Thayer from the centre
Of the north wall" he said, "for l recog-
nizeC that from its character and its frame,
if il could not be in that place it would
practically take itself out of that gallery
| did once suggest the centre OF the east
wall, on the ground that Sargents portrait
which was there had already been shown
at a dealers gallery. where it had been
seen probably by nearly everybody who
was especially interested in it, and that
being a moro vivid painting than the Whist
ars Il could hold it's own out in the south
gallery, where the red wall practically
killed the Whistlers. But did not demand
that place.
4 suggested three places in the Wander
bt gallery. The other two were on the
north wall one Of them near the position
Of the Homer Martin. The other was
that occupied by MIR. Volk's painting and
had Mr., Volk's. permission before made
hat suggestion
Mr., Low said that he knew no reason
Of explanation TO Mr. Whistler, as it would
add nothing new to the incident which
lie nreferred to regard as clnsod.
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