Paint Palette

Date 19th century
Materials wood and metal
Dimensions 46.0 cm x 32.0 cm
Marks Paint remnants in Whistler's usual arrangement. Embossed on both containers: "DEPOSE".
Further information GLAHA 54146.

Note This oval paint palette is from the collection of Whistler's artistic materials held at the Hunterian Art Gallery. It still has oil paint on it, laid out in Whistler's usual arrangement of white in the middle, to the left yellow ochre, raw sienna, burnt sienna, raw umber, cobalt and mineral blue, and to the right vermilion, venetian red, indian red and black. Whistler stressed the importance of organising his palette. Only after he had prepared all the necessary mixes on the palette did he start painting. Notice the two small metal containers clipped to the side of the palette. They probably held linseed oil and turpentine, which were used to dilute the paint. Whistler tended to use a small oval palette like this one because it was easy to hold. In his studio he also used a specially made table palette that was about 1m long.

Related works GLAHA 54147, 54148, 54151, 54153, 54154.

Paint Palette

Date 19th century
Materials wood
Dimensions 46.0 cm x 32.0 cm
Marks Oil paint across the surface
Further information GLAHA 54153.

Note This paint palette is smeared with colour. Whistler usually prepared the main colours of a picture on his palette before beginning to paint anything on the canvas. He passed on to his students his belief in the importance of managing the palette as the basis for a good picture. He acquired this practice when he himself was a student in Paris under the painter Charles Gleyre [link – Key figures].

Related works GLAHA 54146, 54147, 54148, 54151, 54154.