sketchy. He no doubt
possesses artistic qualities, and he has got appreciation of qualities
of tone; but he is not complete, and all his works are in the nature
of sketching."

_The Art Critic of the "Times,"
Evidence at Westminster, Nov. 16, 1878._

44.--ARRANGEMENT IN GREY AND BLACK.

PORTRAIT OF THE PAINTER'S MOTHER.

_Photograph of Picture._

"This canvas is large and much of it vacant.

"A dim, cold light fills the room, where the flat, grey wall is
only broken by a solitary picture in black and white; a piece of
foldless, creaseless, Oriental flowered crape hangs from the cornice.
And here, in this solemn chamber, sits the lady in mournful garb. The
picture has found few admirers among the thousands who seek to while
away the hours at Burlington House, and for this result the painter
has only to thank himself."--_Times._

"'Arrangement in Grey and Black: Portrait of the Painter's Mother,' is
another of Mr. Whistler's experiments.

"It is not a picture, and we fail to discover any _object_ that the
artist can have in view in restricting himself almost entirely to
black and grey."--_Examiner._

"The 'arrangement' is stiff and ugly enough to repel many."--_Hour._

"Before such pictures as the full-length portraits by Mr. Whistler,
critic and spectator are alike puzzled. Criticism and admiration seem
alike impossible, and the mind vacillates between a feeling that the
artist is playing a practical joke upon the spectator, or that the
painter is suffering from some peculiar optical delusion. After all,
there are certain accepted canons about what constitutes good drawing,
good colour, and good painting, and when an artist deliberately sets
himself to ignore or violate all of these, it is desirable that
his work should not be classed with that of ordinary artists."--_Times._

"He that telleth a tale to ... Carlyle's majority speaketh to one
in a slumber: when he hath told his tale he will say, What is the
matter?"

[Illustration]

_RESUME._

"It is impossible to take Mr. Whistler seriously."

_Advertiser._

"A combination of circumstances has, within the last year or two,
brought the name and work of Mr. Whistler into special publicity....

"At the Grosvenor Gallery the less desirable of his designs aroused
the inconsiderate ire of a man of genius and splendid authority.

"If it be Mr. Whistle