The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-09
WHISTLER RAPS ART SOCIETY.
SENDS 1.-THE sun" MS LETTER
on PICTuRE HANGING ROW.
Writes In Chnract cristic style 10 W. II
Low. VINO Didn't Make the Letter
Public-COmplirent to Hanging Com.
mittec Of Society OF American Artists.
special ca,n Despatch 10 THE SUN

special cab. Despatch 10 THE SUN
: LONDON. May s.-The following lette
has been received at The SUNS Londor
, Office
, SIR: had waited for MIR Low to pubiIsl
: my reply 10 II letter from himse!! concernin'
the withdrawal Of my pictures from tn
Society Of American Artists.
This gentle opinion Of my own upon thu
situation is. understand. expert, there
fore inclose 1t TO you for publication, anc
I have the honor to he. dear sir, your obeden
servant. j MCNEIL WHISTLER.
DEAR Mr. Low: have just learned with
distress that my cnnvases have been trouble
and cause of thought to the gentlemen Of
the Hanging Committee!
Pray present to them my compliments ano
my deep regrets.
fear also that this is not the first time
OF simple and good-natured intrusion
looking in" as who should say, with beam
ing fellowship and Grass camaraderie upon
the highly finished table and well-seated
guests-to be kindly and swiftly shufied
into some further respectable place-that oil
be well and hospitality endure.
Promise. then. for me. that have learned
and that this shall not occur again" And.
above all, do not allow a matter of colossal
importance to ever interfere with the after
noon habit Of peace and good will, and the
leaf Of the mint so pleasantly associated
with this society.
could not be other than much affected
by your warm and immediate demonstration.
but ] should never forgive myself were the
consequences Of lasting veXaton to your
distinguished confreres, and. believe me. dear
Mr.. Low. very sincerely,
j. MCNEIL WHISTLER
LONDON. April 7. 1908.
Mr.. Whistler's letter refers to the with
drawal Of three OF his paintings owned by
Charles L, Freer Of Detroit. from the recent
exhibition OF the Society of American
Artists w. H. Low. as a member Of a
committee to borrow some pictures for the
exhibition, secured from. Mr.; Freer the
paintings by Whistler. on the cond ition
that the three be hung together in good
position.
When they were hung on the west wal
OF the South gallery. Mr., Low, complained
and demanded that thy BE- plaHed in the
mittee effected q Encouragement, by which
the Whistiers were hung on the south wall
Of the Vanderbilt gallery, to the right ofthe
entrance. This suited Mr., Low no better
He demanded either the place Of honor in
gallery or the centre Of the east wall Of that
gallery. places that we're occupied by a
painting by Abbott H. Thayer and by
Sargents portrait Of William NJ. Chase.
The committee declined to grant either
Of these positions. and Mr.. Low at once re-
signed from the society and telegraghed
Mr. Freer. who responded with a telegram
to the society. withdrawing his paintings
unless one of the two. places demaded
by Mr. Low was accorded them.
The committee felt that they had COM
piled with Mr.. Freer's first condition in the
places given the pictures and that Mr.
Freer should scarcely dictate to New
York society just where pictures must be
hung; So they returned the paintings to him,
II Whistler's characteristic apology for
causing the Hanging Committee to think,
and his touching reference to r.Low Q i'm
petuous resignation, that warm and i'm
as leaving an advantage with either side,
it Is possible that the controversy may
now be further heard from hero.