New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-18
4 WHISTLER LETTER.
The Painters Tender affection for
His Mother.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Your review In yesterdays Tribune of
Theodore Duret's book Whistler and his worB
reminds one. after the hysterical outburst from
the satellites of their-but by no means every
body's-"master." of your equal care while
ago. to moderate the parallel exaggerations and
ineptitudes Of Stevenson's devotees; by which
don't in the least mean to insinuate that Whis-
tier and Stevenson were not both worthy OF
much commentator and a reasonable following.
Your observations are Of special interest TO the
present writer, because the facts embodied
with an occasional Slip by NJ Duret In the
opening "Annees de Jeunesse' OF his book were
furnished him by myself at the instigaton of
mutual friend. the lamented art connoisseur
who has Just joined the majority. Mr.. Samuel T.
Avery the elder. The material prepared and
from which our conscientious art historian
culled these facts was recall IT, forwarded
to him with permission to use whatever por-
lions might suit his purpose; and in acknowledge
ing what came from my hand Duret told me
that his contribution to Whistlers biography
would be confined. in the main. to what would.
he thought. specially appeal to readers on his
side OF the Atlantic-that is. to a consideration
OF the artists adult output with brush and PEN
ell In Europe "depuis son arrivee d'Amerique
Paris 1855 jusq6a mort Londres. Ell
1903" And he suggested that 1 should shape
my own share in fitting record with specific
reference TO the American public. which would
doubtless find its chief interest In details of his
early life. Childhood being ex necessitate rel
as 1.-The boy is father Of the man"-the founda-
ton of the adult career, 1 quite agreed with my
adviser this point
In a letter got from NJ Duret a day or two
ago he reverts TO this early determination OF his
to confne himself to Whistler's life as an artist
and to his works as a painter and aquafortst."
II Tt han +ha ELI
his life as an artist that I made up my mind
1 ought to attach myself. In that way be-
lieved 1 could render service to his memory. for
posterity VIII surely concern itself with Whis-
tier and. before ALL artist"
NJ. Duret is to be respected for his loyalty to a
friend, who. however. he admits had mised and
mortified him by falsifcations. and that, as
think almost altogether in the interest of his
egomania, though perhaps also little through
his love Of mystifcation and persfage. But
am not handicapped by any such personal feel
| ing, 1 never met nor had any dealings what
soever with Whistler My mind. therefore. is left
free to estimate without prepossession or preju-
dice his relations in their entirety to his commu-
nifty and to a higher civilization and my convic-
/ ton Is that though he left his mark on his own
| day as a great-it is only his unquestioning dew
otees who say the greatest-artist. he will. be-
sides be known hereafter still more pro-
| nounced egotist. From my point of view, there
| fore, while Whistler should be highly esteA ned
| for his art productions he should not be held up
! in toto as model for the tyro in graphic art,
! and still less for others in any field of life
None the less. however. 1 recognize in our sub
;ect the attractive personal qualities htfuIly
conspicuous In him. One hears-as one does.
indeed OF nearly all artists-of his occasional
| generous dealings with young and struggling
aspisahis IN the art field. and, in illustration OF
the pr'a'e man at his best. well of my
| own desre To be fair I will close with a few
extracts ifom faded letter OF four large pages
/ quite filled syth his delicate calgraphy 1t was
written TO his mother from Venice during his