Harmony in Red: Lamplight
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Among Whistler’s close friends in the 1870s and 1880s were the architect and designer Edward William Godwin [link – Key figures] and his artist wife Beatrix Godwin [link – Key figures]. E. W. Godwin and Whistler collaborated on a number of projects including Harmony in Yellow and Gold: The Butterfly Cabinet [link – Design/Exhibitions/GLAHA 46396]. Beatrix posed for Whistler. His most famous picture of her is Harmony in Red: Lamplight [link – Hunterian Art Gallery website/GLAHA 46315]. Beatrix began to work in Whistler’s studio with his other pupils, including Walter Sickert [link – Key figures] and Mortimer Menpes [link – Key figures]. Whistler and Beatrix grew very attached to each other. E. W. Godwin died in 1886.
In 1881 Whistler became friendly with the writer, wit and dandy Oscar Wilde [link – Key figures]. For two or three years they were constantly in each other’s company. However, the friendship did not last. Whistler came to suspect that Wilde knew little about art and was irritated when Wilde pretended that Whistler’s theories on art were his own.
Whistler and Beatrix married in 1888. They turned out to be a great husband and wife team. Whistler taught Beatrix to etch and Beatrix in turn helped to print and promote her husband’s etchings. She also dealt with his clients. Beatrix’s sisters Ethel [link – Key figures, Painting/Portraits/GLAHA 46386, 46316] and Rosalind Philip [link – Key figures] also became Whistler’s models and close friends. Rosalind was made his ward and executrix at Beatrix’s death in 1896.
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