Skip to main contentProvenanceThe artist
Rosalind Birnie Philip
Private collection
Spink and Son, Ltd., London, England
Anthony d'Offay, London, England, until 1972
Davis Galleries, New York, New York
Meredith Long and Company, Houston, Texas
William R. Lloyd, Houston, Texas, 1974
Davis & Long Company, New York, New York
Daniel J. Terra Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1979
Terra Foundation for the Arts Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1992
Exhibition HistoryPublished References
James Abbott McNeill Whistler
(American, 1834–1903)
A Chelsea Shop
c. 1894–95
Oil on panel
Image: 5 x 8 7/16 in. (12.7 x 21.4 cm)
Frame: 13 1/2 x 17 x 1 3/8 in. (34.3 x 43.2 x 3.5 cm)
Frame: 13 1/2 x 17 x 1 3/8 in. (34.3 x 43.2 x 3.5 cm)
Credit LineTerra Foundation for American Art, Daniel J. Terra Collection
Object number1992.148
SignedUpper left quadrant: butterfly monogram
InterpretationA Chelsea Shop, like another painting in the Terra Foundation’s collection, Carlyle’s Sweetstuff Shop (TF 1992.147), is one of James McNeill Whistler’s several small-scale, frontal, closely focused images of old shop fronts. Rapidly executed in thin layers of transparent oil paint, the work is relatively pale in tone, with the grays of the open doorway, glazed window, and street set against the modulated pinks of the solid wall. The deliberate asymmetry of the composition and the contrast of structured lines and flat expanses recall the powerful influence of Japanese woodblock prints, which Whistler greatly admired. Compared to most of his shop front paintings, here the figures—two girls at the shop window and a woman in the doorway—are relatively prominent; they lend notes of movement, color, and animation. In the 1880s Whistler favored such small panel paintings for their portability and ease of execution. Smoother than canvas, the wood surface more clearly reveals evidence of the painting process, an assertion of the creator’s presence and persona that links Whistler to modernist tendencies in late nineteenth-century art.
Various titles have been assigned to A Chelsea Shop, which may in fact depict not Whistler’s own London neighborhood but the English coastal resort of Lyme Regis. In paintings and prints, Whistler depicted similar old shop fronts in several locations in England, France, and Holland in the 1880s and 1890s. His sketchy, informal renderings and close-up focus make precise identification of his settings virtually impossible. Indeed, Whistler was less interested in recording the scene before him or capturing the flavor of urban life than in the decorative potential of his subjects. With his facile brushwork and understated palette, the artist blurred the weathered surfaces and irregular geometry of the old shop fronts in such works as A Chelsea Shop to reveal their underlying design, anticipating the full development of abstract art early in the twentieth century. To emphasize further the correspondence between the flat façade of the shop front and the planar surface of the panel on which he represented it, Whistler "signed" his painting with his signature stylized butterfly near the upper left corner of the composition.
Various titles have been assigned to A Chelsea Shop, which may in fact depict not Whistler’s own London neighborhood but the English coastal resort of Lyme Regis. In paintings and prints, Whistler depicted similar old shop fronts in several locations in England, France, and Holland in the 1880s and 1890s. His sketchy, informal renderings and close-up focus make precise identification of his settings virtually impossible. Indeed, Whistler was less interested in recording the scene before him or capturing the flavor of urban life than in the decorative potential of his subjects. With his facile brushwork and understated palette, the artist blurred the weathered surfaces and irregular geometry of the old shop fronts in such works as A Chelsea Shop to reveal their underlying design, anticipating the full development of abstract art early in the twentieth century. To emphasize further the correspondence between the flat façade of the shop front and the planar surface of the panel on which he represented it, Whistler "signed" his painting with his signature stylized butterfly near the upper left corner of the composition.
Rosalind Birnie Philip
Private collection
Spink and Son, Ltd., London, England
Anthony d'Offay, London, England, until 1972
Davis Galleries, New York, New York
Meredith Long and Company, Houston, Texas
William R. Lloyd, Houston, Texas, 1974
Davis & Long Company, New York, New York
Daniel J. Terra Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1979
Terra Foundation for the Arts Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1992
Exhibition History
Notes, Harmonies, and Nocturnes: Small Works by James McNeill Whistler, M. Knoedler & Company, Inc., New York, New York (organizer). Venue: M. Knoedler & Company, Inc., New York, New York, November 30–December 27, 1984. [exh. cat.]
A Proud Heritage: Two Centuries of American Art, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, April 21–June 21, 1987. [exh. cat.]
Selections from the Permanent Collection: Americans at Home and Abroad, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, November 6–29, 1987.
An American Revelation: The Daniel J. Terra Collection, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, February 28–October 1, 1988.
Whistler and His Circle, Minnesota Museum of Art, St. Paul, Minnesota, April 9–June 25, 1989. [exh. cat.]
Regard sur James Abbott McNeill Whistler (James Abbott McNeill Whistler at a Glance), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 1–October 30, 1994.
Un regard américain sur Paris (An American Glance at Paris), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 11–October 31, 1997.
Songs on Stone: James McNeill Whistler and the Art of Lithography, The Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venues: The Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois, June 6–August 30, 1998; National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, October 1–January 3, 1999. [exh. cat.]
The Decorative Form: The Aesthetic Movement, Arts & Crafts and the Asian Influence in American Art, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, September 16–December 5, 1999.
Figures and Forms: Selections from the Terra Foundation for the Arts, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, May 9–July 9, 2000.
New Faces, New Places: Recent Additions to the Terra Foundation for the Arts Collection, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, October 14–December 31, 2000.
Selections from the Permanent Collection: Two Centuries of American Art, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, March 10–July 1, 2001.
A Place on the Avenue: Terra Museum of American Art Celebrates 15 Years in Chicago, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, November 16, 2002–February 16, 2003 (on exhibit extended run: November 2, 2002–March 2, 2003).
Modern Harmonies: Whistler Reflects on his Art, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, May 31–August 31, 2003.
Studied Abroad: Painted Impressions from the Collection, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, September 6, 2003–April 4, 2004.
Expanded Galleries of American Art with Loans from the Terra Foundation for American Art Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, April 15, 2005–September 2010.
Taxing VIsions: Financial Episodes in Late Nineteenth-Century American Art, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, Pennsylvania, and The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California (organizers). Venues: Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, Pennsylvania, September 28–December 19, 2010; The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California, January 29–May 30, 2011. [exh. cat.]
Galleries of American Art with loans from the Terra Foundation for American Art Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, July 2013–June 2015.
Whistler and Roussel: Linked Visions, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, (organizer). Venue: The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, June 20–September 27, 2015. [exh. cat.]
Galleries of American Art with loans from the Terra Foundation for American Art Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, October 2015–present.
A Proud Heritage: Two Centuries of American Art, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, April 21–June 21, 1987. [exh. cat.]
Selections from the Permanent Collection: Americans at Home and Abroad, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, November 6–29, 1987.
An American Revelation: The Daniel J. Terra Collection, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, February 28–October 1, 1988.
Whistler and His Circle, Minnesota Museum of Art, St. Paul, Minnesota, April 9–June 25, 1989. [exh. cat.]
Regard sur James Abbott McNeill Whistler (James Abbott McNeill Whistler at a Glance), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 1–October 30, 1994.
Un regard américain sur Paris (An American Glance at Paris), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 11–October 31, 1997.
Songs on Stone: James McNeill Whistler and the Art of Lithography, The Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venues: The Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois, June 6–August 30, 1998; National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, October 1–January 3, 1999. [exh. cat.]
The Decorative Form: The Aesthetic Movement, Arts & Crafts and the Asian Influence in American Art, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, September 16–December 5, 1999.
Figures and Forms: Selections from the Terra Foundation for the Arts, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, May 9–July 9, 2000.
New Faces, New Places: Recent Additions to the Terra Foundation for the Arts Collection, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, October 14–December 31, 2000.
Selections from the Permanent Collection: Two Centuries of American Art, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, March 10–July 1, 2001.
A Place on the Avenue: Terra Museum of American Art Celebrates 15 Years in Chicago, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, November 16, 2002–February 16, 2003 (on exhibit extended run: November 2, 2002–March 2, 2003).
Modern Harmonies: Whistler Reflects on his Art, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, May 31–August 31, 2003.
Studied Abroad: Painted Impressions from the Collection, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, September 6, 2003–April 4, 2004.
Expanded Galleries of American Art with Loans from the Terra Foundation for American Art Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, April 15, 2005–September 2010.
Taxing VIsions: Financial Episodes in Late Nineteenth-Century American Art, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, Pennsylvania, and The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California (organizers). Venues: Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, Pennsylvania, September 28–December 19, 2010; The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California, January 29–May 30, 2011. [exh. cat.]
Galleries of American Art with loans from the Terra Foundation for American Art Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, July 2013–June 2015.
Whistler and Roussel: Linked Visions, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, (organizer). Venue: The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, June 20–September 27, 2015. [exh. cat.]
Galleries of American Art with loans from the Terra Foundation for American Art Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, October 2015–present.
Young, Andrew McLaren, Margaret F. MacDonald, Robin Spencer with the assistance of Hamish Miles. The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler. New Haven, Connecticut and London, England: Yale University Press, 1980. Text no. 448, p. 198; pl. 292 (black & white as A Shop).
MacDonald, Margaret F. Notes, Harmonies & Nocturnes: Small Works by James McNeill Whistler. (exh. cat., M. Knoedler & Company, Inc.). New York: M. Knoedler & Company, Inc., 1984. Ill. no. 95, p. 71 (black & white)
Atkinson, D. Scott et al. A Proud Heritage: Two Centuries of American Art. Edited by Terry A. Neff. (exh. cat., Terra Museum of American Art). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 1987. Pl. T-42, p. 151 (color).
Regard sur cinq années d'expositions. (Five years of Exhibitions at a Glance). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 1997. Ill. p. 72 (color).
Tedeschi, Martha and Britt Salvesen. "Songs on Stone: James McNeill Whistler and the Art of Lithography." Museum Studies 24:1 (1998): 4–135. Fig. 161, p. 112 (color).
Mathews, Nancy Mowll with Elizabeth Kennedy. Prendergast in Italy. (exh. cat. also translated into Italian as "Prendergast in Italia"; all pages are identical) London: Merrell in association with Williams College Museum of Art and the Terra Foundation for American Art, 2009. Text p. 110; fig. 24, p. 110 (color).
Mazow, Leo G. and Kevin Murphy. Taxing Visions: Financial Episodes in Late Nineteenth-Century American Art. (exh. cat. Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, Pennsylvania and The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California). University Park, Pennsylvania: Palmer Museum of Art and San Marino, California: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, 2010. Text pp. 41, 72 (checklist); ill. fig. 36, p. 42 (color).
Hausberg, Meg, and Victoria Sancho Lobis. Whistler and Roussel: Linked Visions. Chicago: The Art Institute of Chicago, 2015. Cat. no. 1.9 (checklist; color).
MacDonald, Margaret F. Notes, Harmonies & Nocturnes: Small Works by James McNeill Whistler. (exh. cat., M. Knoedler & Company, Inc.). New York: M. Knoedler & Company, Inc., 1984. Ill. no. 95, p. 71 (black & white)
Atkinson, D. Scott et al. A Proud Heritage: Two Centuries of American Art. Edited by Terry A. Neff. (exh. cat., Terra Museum of American Art). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 1987. Pl. T-42, p. 151 (color).
Regard sur cinq années d'expositions. (Five years of Exhibitions at a Glance). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 1997. Ill. p. 72 (color).
Tedeschi, Martha and Britt Salvesen. "Songs on Stone: James McNeill Whistler and the Art of Lithography." Museum Studies 24:1 (1998): 4–135. Fig. 161, p. 112 (color).
Mathews, Nancy Mowll with Elizabeth Kennedy. Prendergast in Italy. (exh. cat. also translated into Italian as "Prendergast in Italia"; all pages are identical) London: Merrell in association with Williams College Museum of Art and the Terra Foundation for American Art, 2009. Text p. 110; fig. 24, p. 110 (color).
Mazow, Leo G. and Kevin Murphy. Taxing Visions: Financial Episodes in Late Nineteenth-Century American Art. (exh. cat. Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, Pennsylvania and The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California). University Park, Pennsylvania: Palmer Museum of Art and San Marino, California: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, 2010. Text pp. 41, 72 (checklist); ill. fig. 36, p. 42 (color).
Hausberg, Meg, and Victoria Sancho Lobis. Whistler and Roussel: Linked Visions. Chicago: The Art Institute of Chicago, 2015. Cat. no. 1.9 (checklist; color).