Box of Lithography Crayons

Date c.1878-1895
Materials Cardboard, lithography crayons
Dimensions 7.0 cm x 4.5 cm x 1.9 cm
Marks Label: "Gilby & Hermann's / CHALK / for Grained Transfer Paper / 9 & 11 Garrick St, London / W.C." Inscribed in pencil on the back with feather and flower designs
Further information GLAHA 54150.
Margaret F. MacDonald, James McNeill Whistler: Drawings, Pastels and Watercolours: A Catalogue Raisonné, New Haven and London, Yale University Press, 1995 (702).

Note This box contains black lithographic crayons from Whistler's collection of artistic materials. On the back of the box, in pencil and crayon, are several drawings by Whistler of flowers and feathers comparable to his designs for the Peacock Room. Lithographic chalk, which contains pigment and grease, can be used to make a drawing on the surface of a special lithographic stone, or on to grained paper for transfer on to the stone. After dampening, the transfer paper has to be placed face down on the stone and pulled through a press several times to transfer it. The stone can then be used for printing. Whistler was introduced to transfer lithography in 1887 by his London printer T. R. Way. The process gave the artist greater freedom as it meant drawings could be made on to a pad rather than the more awkward, heavy lithographic stone.

Related works YMSM 178.