UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

The style of the butterfly monogram suggests a date between 1874 and 1875, and probably closer to 1875. It is similar to the monogram on The Little Forge, Liverpool 141. This is rather later than has usually been suggested, but is corroborated by the similarities between the portrait and that of Irving as Philip of Spain, No. 2 159, which has a similar composition and technique.

Whistler was visiting Frederick Richards Leyland (1832-1892) and Frances Leyland (1834-1910) in Speke Hall, near Liverpool, early in 1875 and wrote to William Cleverly Alexander (1840-1916): 'The etchings and drypoints are getting on famously - I have quite got back into my old delight in the work and think I shall have some pretty things to show you soon -' 1

By then he may have been working on five etchings of Speke and the vicinity: Speke Hall 140, Speke Shore 139 and The Dam Wood 133, and, perhaps in Liverpool, Shipbuilder's Yard, Liverpool 142 and The Little Forge, Liverpool 141. While there he received the recent catalogue by Ralph Thomas, Jr (1840-1876) of Whistler's etchings, and acknowledged it 'with my kindest thanks'. 2 It is most likely that the portrait of Leyland dates from this visit. Whistler's relations with F. R. Leyland ceased in 1876, after their dispute over payment for Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room y178.