UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Man in an arbour: E. G. Kennedy dates from between late June and early July 1892.

The idea of doing a portrait of Edward Guthrie Kennedy (1849-1932) was first mooted in June 1892, when Whistler wrote:

'We are delighted with you! - we know you to be angel, and grand Seigneur - which is rarer! - and shall consider it an honour to grave upon copper our best presentment of such a Preux Chevalier and dear good fellow! - ' 1

Kennedy wrote from New York concerning his plans:

'As to going to Paris, if you think you would care to do the copper when I am there, or when I can go there, I would, of course, go out of my way, only I should have to have your assurance that you would feel like doing the Copper when I was there, for I find that it is not necessary to return to Paris, so I am going to Berlin and will return by way of Paris if that will suit you. / ... To return to the portrait on copper, time is valuable to me & I shall be glad if one day will be enough, as no doubt it will. / It may be of use too in the future, as it ought to be the correct thing to have a portrait etched by Whistler. / I should like a dry point in the old style; however I am in your hands.' 2

Whistler's wife responded,

'Jimmy ... says he will, of course, do the etching or dry point as you think best, and will try and do it in a day, if you dont frighten him too much - He is already getting his hand in, for he is doing a portrait of a very distinguished man - a poet'. 3

The poet was Stéphane Mallarmé (1842-1898), who posed for Stéphane Mallarmé [462]. The next day Whistler confirmed that 'I shall be delighted to do the portrait - Etching or Dry Point - '. 4 As Kennedy noted years later: 'The portrait mentioned was to be a drawing or etching of myself, in 'slight recognition' of giving him a picture from the Cavafy lot for himself.' 5 Kennedy had been encouraged by Whistler to buy several paintings from Dr John Cavafy (ca 1839-1901), son of G. J. Cavafy, and in recompense, Kennedy returned Harmony in Blue and Silver: Trouville [y064] to the artist.

Kennedy posed in Paris at some time in the last week of June and left for London on 4 July 1892. When he returned to Paris, by 20 July, he was 'hoping that at your convenience, I may get a look at the man in the garden'. 6 However although Whistler etched the plate, he had still not printed it a month later:

'Yours is bitten in - and it looks extremely well on the plate - but it has not been printed yet - but as the press is up and the studio finished you may expect the first proof very soon - / ... PS. Jimmy says I mustn't be too enthusiastic about your portrait, because he is not by any means contented with it!!' 7

Although Kennedy tried intermittently to get Whistler to complete the portrait, it appears that Whistler abandoned or destroyed it.