New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-24
literary .NeeOS and Criticism.
early italian engravers for example, would be
hailed as boon

early italian engravsrs, for example, would be
hailed as boon.
From the same publishers we have received
James MCNEIL Whistler" by DR.. H. w. Singer
1t is booklet OF some fourscore pages. issued
in the "Langham Series Of Art Monographs"
The German author has nothing particular to
say about his subject He tells MS how he onca
knocked repeatedly at whlstler's door and
knocked In vain 1T was not opened to me" he
says but on the farther side Of the closed por-
tai there arose cheerful WHISTLE was not
only TO return home with my mission unful-
filed, also to know that I was intention
ally left to stand without" The readers heart
must bleed for Dr. Singer. Nevertheless there
is too much in this book about Whisters foibles
and there is not enough helpful Interpretation
Of his art. There is, by the way, interesting
bit Of Whistleriana in the current number Of
The Art Journal" 1t is translation OF let
ter which N. Leonce Benedite lately gave to the
world in the Gazette des Beaux Arts" Writ
ing in the CO.'S to his intimate, Fantin-Latour,
Whistler saidi
Dear Fantn: have far too many things to tell
you for me to write them all this morning for
of giving birth. You Know what that IS I have
s9E4elat pictures in my head, and they issue with
exactng and "dificile"-very different from What
vas when threw everything pel-mel on canvas
knowing that instinct and fine color would carry
me through. Ali my dear Fantin what an educa.
ton have given myself or, rather, what fear
ful want Of education I am conscious of With
the me gifts I naturally possess, what a painter
! should now ba II. vain and satisfied with those
powers, l hadn't disregaTded everything else. You
see | came at an unfortunate moment Courbet
rage, even the hatred feel for all that would
perhaps astonish you, but here is the explanation.
1t isn't poor Courbet that I ioathe. nor even his
works ! recognize, as I always did, their qualities
NOR 40 lament the influence Of his painting on
mine. There isn't anyi none will be found IN my
canNaseS, That cant be otherwise, for / too
individual ana have always been rich in qualities
Whlch ne hadnt and which were enough Tor me-
tSul lIils IS why all that was bad for me, That
damned realism made such a direct appeal TO my
NanlJ- as painter, and houting all traditions,
shouted Win the assurance OF Ignorance, "Ntve la
OF bad luck for me. Ny friend, little society
was as refractory as you like. OH why wasn't
a pupil OF lngresY don't cay that in rapturs be-
lore MS pictures 1 don't much care FOR them
thlnk a lot o. h!s paintings that together
very ouestlonsbs in style, not in the least Creek
as people pretend, but very viciousiy French I
hne- things 70 do. But, 1 repeat It, why wasn't
his pupil What master he would have been
JoVe! Coor-color is vice Certainly II can be and
has the right to be of tho finest virtues
Grasped with a strong hand. controlled by her
master, Drawing, Color is a splendid bride with
husband worthy of her-her lover but her master
toU-the most magnificent mistress in the world
and the result is 10 be in all the lovely things
decision, with weak tinid vicious drawing
easily satisfied, color becomes a Jade making game
Ene pleases. taking the thing lightly long
she has good time. treating her unfortunate COM
panion like duffer who bores her-which IS Just
what he does And look at the result; chaos OF
injoGiCatiOn, OF JriCkery regret, unfinished things
Well enough of this. II explains the immense
amount Of work that am now doing have been
am that I shall make UP the wasted time
But-but--what labor and pain!