The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-18
WHISTLER IS DEAD.
Noted American Artist Passes
Away in London.

London, July 1s.-James Abbott Nc
Nein Whistler, the celebrated American
artist, died yesterday afternoon at his
residence, "A Cheyne Walk. Chelsea. at
eddy, although for some time he had
been seriously i'll.
The morning papers publish elaborate
obituary notices. recognizing the dis
tinguished and unique personality OF
Mr.. Whistler, whose genius greatly
dominated European art of the present
generation. While admitting that it is
for posterity to decide his exact position
as painter, it is generally conceded
that he was a conSummate eteher.
The Daily Telegraph says: 1T is NOR
tifying to think that there is no ex-
ample of his work in the public galleries
of London where he lived and worked
so many years
His eccentricities and his whims
gained for Whistler as much fame as his
paintings. The world to him had one
central figure-Whistler. When some
old lady once confided to him that he
and Velasquez were the only two really
great artists who ever lived, Whistler
put sneer on his lips and asked: "Ohi
what's the good Of dragging in Velas-
quez?"
James Abbott Mcneil Whistler was
born at Lowell, Mass, in August. 1S3t.
He was the son of George Washington
Whistler an eminent civil engineer and
Anna Matilda MCNEIL. several years
of Whistler's early life were spent in
Russia while his father was superin-
tending the construction of the st. Pc
tersburg & Moscow railroad. He return
ed to the United States after his faith
ers death and in 1851 was appointed
cadet-at-lar at West Point by Presi-
dent Fillmore. In 1854 Whistler was
recommended for discharge. as he was
deficient in mathematics. He could only
fix his mind upon drawing.
After leaving West Point Whistler
went to England and from there TO
Paris. where he was a pupil of Charles
Gabriel Gleyre the painter. In 1859 he
exhibited at the Royal academy two
"etchings from nature" and since that
time contributed to nearly all the i'm
portant exhibitions in London. Paris,
Munich and The Hague.
Whistler's paintings were for a time
the subject of bitter criticism John
Ruskin could hardly express his con-
tempt and once wrote: Il nave seen
and heard much of cockney impudence
before now. but never expected to hear
a coxcomb ask 200 guineas for flinging
pot of paint in the public's face"
Whistler brought suit for libel and
nominally won, being awarded farth-
ing dana geS.
The London Quarterly Review some
time ago said of him: "Mr. Whistler
stands before the world as the repre-
sentative of art without ideas and the
determined opponent of the literary ell
ement in painting, which has found
supporters in Ruskin and the pre-
Rapha elites. But however much we
may differ from Mr.. Whistler in his
theory of art critics and painters OF
every school must agree in admiration
of the superb craftsmanship and skill
of his actual handling of paint. which
has already done so much to raise the
standard of technical attainment in
this country
Perhaps Whistler's greatest portrait
was that of his mother. which has as
it's subtitle, Arrangement in Gray and
Black" 1t was painted IN 1872 and
that same year was sent to the Royal
acadamy, to which it was admitted un-
der protest