Long Handled Brushes

Date 19th century
Materials Wood, metal, natural bristles
Dimension s80 cm long
Marks Some black and brown paint marks
Further information GLAHA 54137.

Note Whistler painted with very long-handled brushes with hogs’ hair bristles that were made specially for him. This one was 80 cm long. The length of the handles meant that he could stand at some distance from the canvas while he was painting. This was important for him as he could better judge the relationship between the subject and the canvas this way [link/illustration – Whistler’s ‘Lady Meux’, see Whistler, Women and Fashion, p. 160?]. He reshaped his brushes by heating them over a candle.

Brushes

Date 19th century Materials Wood, metal, natural bristles Dimensions 27.0 cm x 2.0 cm Marks On metal of handle:"Hamilton and Co", "TRADE", "SENFER IDEN" in a circle, "MARK". On wood of handle:"Made in England No 325". Some green paint on handle. Further information GLAHA 54138. Note This wide house painter’s brush allowed Whistler to work quickly and apply broad areas of the thin paint, which he called his "sauce".