Paintbox

Date 19th century
Materials wood
Dimensions 19.0 cm x 13.0 cm x 5.0 cm
Marks Paint residue
Further information GLAHA 54147.

Note This type of small painting box was used for painting out of doors. It has storage compartments for materials such as paints, oils, brushes and crayons. It has internal grooves into which Whistler's painting panels could be inserted [link – Studio/Techniques/GLAHA 46353]. These panels were normally pre-primed in grey so that Whistler could begin painting his subject straight away. The lid was used as a palette. This box shows Whistler's usual arrangement of colours. Once the palette was organised, a panel could be inserted and painted in the box. Finished panels could be stored in the box for safe keeping during transit, even while they were still wet. The grooves kept the different panels separate. Many of Whistler's small panels show traces of these grooves in the paint layer.

Related works GLAHA 54146, 54148, 54151, 54153, 54154.

Paintbox

Date19th century Materials Wood Dimensions 21.0 cm x 28.0 cm x 6.0 cm Marks Embossed in lid: "Young Gower St. London W.C." Further information GLAHA 54151. Note This type of paint box was typically used for painting out of doors. It was designed so that when opened the inside of the lid served as a support for paper, panel or canvas, either secured with pins, placed against it or slid into grooves, as is the case with this box. There are storage compartments for paints, brushes, crayons and other items, and a palette could be fitted on top. The palette of this box still has paint on it, arranged in Whistler’s usual systematic way. Related works GLAHA 54146, 54147, 54148, 54153, 54154.

Paintbox

Date 19th century Materials Wood, metal Dimensions 46.0 cm x 32.0 cm Marks Embossed stamp on bottom of box: "H. BLANCHET PARIS" Further information GLAHA 54154. Note This little box was of the type artists called a 'thumb box'. The hole in the bottom was made for the painter’s thumb so that he could hold it and use the lid as a palette. The metal box would have contained small paint tubes. Small panels could be slid into the grooves. Related works GLAHA 54146, 54147, 54148, 54151, 54153.