Sunday, November 11, 2012

Serendipity, a Silhouette, and Rex Whistler

Isn't it funny how things work out, more often than not, Dear Reader?


Last weekend I stopped into White Whale Limited, an antiques shop in the nearby town to Darlington House.  White Whale is a favorite destination of ours, as it is run by a family of antiques dealers who have marvelous "eyes" for goods in a number of the areas we collect, and the shop's inventory turns regularly.  It is a rare visit to White Whale that I leave its door without having made a purchase.  My purpose in visiting it on this particular trip was to examine a cache of miniature paintings and silhouettes that one of the dealers acquired at the Keith and Chippy Irvine sale held at Stair Galleries a month ago.  I suspected that such pictures would be on display, as I had seen the dealer at the Irvine sale buying lot after lot of them.


I had refrained from bidding on the pictures myself, as they were being sold in groups of four to ten at a time.  That meant that if one wished to acquire a particular picture in a lot, one was required to acquire all of the others, too.  Fortunately the dealer, who specializes in such miniature pictures (among other things), bought the groups she acquired to sell individually.

Among the pictures on view last weekend was a charming silhouette of a young English Regency dandy, circa 1820, whose curled hair, high collar, neckerchief, and button-festooned jacket were appealingly highlighted in gold paint.  I was drawn to the little picture because the sitter—identified on the reverse as a certain "Richard Wilkinson"—was handsome, the decoration was unusually well done, and it was in its original, undisturbed, period papier-mâché frame.


I had seen and admired Mr. Wilkinson's silhouette at the Irvine sale, but had refrained from bidding on it for the reason outlined above.  I was pleased to find it again at White Whale, and more than happy to find that this time it was available on its own.

In addition to finding the silhouette pleasing, Dear Reader, it also reminded me of the illustrations of the English artist Rex Whistler (1905-1944).  The silhouette's painted decoration had his deft and light touch, and his whimsicality, too.  I am not suggesting that I believe my little Regency fellow was painted by Rex Whistler.  I am merely saying that I was reminded of his work when I examined it.  Also that of his contemporaries William McLaren, who illustrated Beverly Nichols' books, and Cecil Beaton, who illustrated his own and others' books (when he wasn't engaged in the other creative activities for which he is justifiably celebrated).

And that is but one of the reasons I came home to Darlington House with Mr.Wilkinson's likeness in hand, where it joins other silhouettes in our collection.  We have hung it on a wall below another small potrait of another dandy of the same period that I also came away with that day, and which shall be the subject of another posting of mine at some point.


The blogosphere and media are abuzz with anticipation of the imminent publication of a book on Rex Whistler, titled In Search of Rex Whistler, His Life & His Work, by Hugh and Mirabel Cecil.  I know that I look forward to adding a copy of it to my cherished library of books about, by, or illustrated by the artist and his circle, a collection I have been accumulating for nigh on thirty years.

For those of my readers who are interested to learn more about the all-too-short life of the sublimely talented and prolific Rex Whistler, I encourage you to visit the information-packed blogs of The Devoted Classicist and Little Augury, where he and his fellow Bright Young Things have oft been the subject of their marvelous and erudite inquisitions.

Photographs by Boy Fenwick

21 comments:

  1. Dear Reggie,

    I enjoyed this post on two counts.

    Firstly because I also like to collect silhouettes, and am always keen to admire other collections. I think that the one you have bought is a particularly fine one and I am a little emerald with jealousy!

    Secondly, through reading your post I am now aware of this new book! As I am a 'fan' of Rex Whistler I shall also be on the lookout for the book when it appears.

    Bye for now

    Kirk

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    1. Hello Kirk, Thanks, the Whistler book is coming out here in the US at the end of this month. It may have already been published and be available in Europe, as the publisher--Lincoln, Frances Limited--is English. RD

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    2. Dear Reggie,
      It has indeed and what is more, I have ordered it!
      Kirk

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  2. Hello Reggie:
    Your miniature silhouette is absolutely delightful. As you say, in its original frame, it has a particular appeal. It looks to have been beautifully executed and the fine detailing is exquisite.

    Rex Whistler is such an enigmatic figure and it will indeed be interesting to read this long heralded account of his life and work.We are certainly fans of his work and enjoyed lunching at the Tate where his mural takes pride of place in the restaurant. Also, most fitting that you should mention Whistler on Remembrance Sunday as he died so very young in World War II.

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    1. Hello J&LH: Thank you. RW is, indeed, an "enigmatic figure" as you write, and was troubled in his desires for much of his life, as were many like him in the day. It is a loss to all of us that he died so young. Reggie

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  3. Dear Reggie - Congratulations on your purchase. It's always nice when such items take a circuitous route back to the owner for which they were actually intended!

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  4. Hello Reggie, A great collecting story; The gold detailing does add a lot to this silhouette, and the chaste papier-mache frame is quite dignified.

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  5. Dear Reggie, thank you for the link to my blog and joining me in Spreading The Good Word about the remarkably talented Rex Whistler. I had long been a fan, but I learned more and even increased my own appreciation in putting together the examples for the series of posts. And that's one of the principles of blogging, isn't it? Many thanks
    _ JT

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    1. Dear TDC: The pleasure is mine, sir. I am a great fan of your blog and have immensely enjoyed reading your posts on Rex Whistler and other topics. RD

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  6. What kind of "brass" tack did you use to hand it on the wall?

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    1. It is a solid brass nail, or tack, and I think we may have bought it from Ball and Ball (http://www.ballandball-us.com/index.html), but I'm not exactly sure...

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  7. it is lovely, and a favorite period of mine. Well done Reggie Darling, and thank you for linking little augury. pgt

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    1. Dear PGT: Thank you, and I am pleased to provide my readers with a ink to your marvelous, inspiring, and dreamy blog. Rgds, Reggie

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  8. Loved the post about the silhouette. I love silhouette's as well and I found a William Doyle here . . . for $12.50 -- it was marked down from $25!

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  9. Well, that sillhouette is a lovely thing.

    Do people still make sillhouettes? My mother (who had silhouette portraits of me and my two brothers done in the 1960's, when she found a silhouette artist in Virginia) asked me about this a couple of weeks ago (she wants to have "matching" portraits of the grandsons), and I had to tell her that I didn't know of anyone who did that sort of work.

    Level Best as Ever,

    David Terry
    www.davidterryart.com

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  10. Hello DT: Thank you. A quick search of the Internet reveals that the art of cutting sihouettes is very much alive. One of the more promising websites I found is of an artist named Karl Johnson (http://www.cutarts.com/index.php). I cannot personally attest to his work, but his website is impressive. Rgds, Reggie

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  11. Dear Reggie,
    I am a new follower via Lance and Jane Hattat, Mark Ruffner, Kirk Dale and Parnassus. With such a following, I knew I'd find much of interest here! Like you, I am a collector of 'pleasing' (!)silhouettes, antiques, books, and I adore Rex Whistler and Beverly Nichols (I'm working on a post about him as we speak)... So, thank you for this wonderful post-- I look forward to reading more about your aesthetic exploits!
    With warm regards,
    Erika

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  12. Dear Reggie,
    That has to be my favourite of all the silhouettes and miniatures you have shared with us. It has a certain charm and no doubt graces Darlington House well.
    DLC.

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  13. For those who can't wait for the Whistler book... it's available right now on the Book Depository:

    http://www.bookdepository.com/Search-Rex-Whistler-Mirabel-Cecil/9780711232303

    Absolutely adore that silhouette, Reggie Darling!

    xx

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  14. I too love your minatures.The detail of the the acorn and oak leaves are gorgeous.

    Somewhere I have a frame like yours, I thought it was wood. Now I know better.

    In about 1995 a silhouette was done of my son and his father at Luna Park, Sydney's harbourside amusement park, presented in an oval cardboard frame.

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  15. Hello Reggie, I think the brass tack is the icing on this particular cake. What an exquisite miniature indeed, and how fortuitous that it has found its new 21st century owner in you.

    The story of you finally owning the silhouette reminds me of the time I purchased (on-line) a 19th century mourning hair piece. Unbeknownst to me, the dealer had several of these pieces to sell and had accidentally mailed me the wrong piece. What I ended up with was far superior to the item I'd originally paid for, and one that I would have added to my collection, had I known of its existence. I was over the moon when the seller agreed to let me keep it. I believe you too would welcome it into your own home as a Regency dandy is depicted in his finery, mourning at the grave of his late wife. I've never seen another quite like it.

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