Skip to main contentProvenanceThe artist
W. O'Leary, Detroit, Michigan
John L. Robertson, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 1925–35
Mrs. John L. Robertson (bequeathed to wife of John L. Robertson)
Descended in family to Mrs. Robert W. Maloney, Jr., by 1972 (Jean Robertson, daughter of John L. Robertson)
Hirschl & Adler Galleries, Inc., New York, New York
Thomas Agnew & Son, London, England
Anthony D'Offay, London, England, 1979
Hazlitt, Gooden & Fox, London, England
Dr. John E. Larkin, White Bear Lake, Minnesota, 1979
Knoedler-Modarco S.A., New York, New York
Daniel J. Terra Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1985
Terra Foundation for the Arts Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1992
Exhibition HistoryPublished References
James Abbott McNeill Whistler
(American, 1834–1903)
Carlyle's Sweetstuff Shop
c. 1887
Oil on panel
Image: 5 1/8 x 8 7/16 in. (13.0 x 21.4 cm)
Frame: 12 1/4 x 15 1/2 x 1 3/4 in. (31.1 x 39.4 x 4.4 cm)
Frame: 12 1/4 x 15 1/2 x 1 3/4 in. (31.1 x 39.4 x 4.4 cm)
Credit LineTerra Foundation for American Art, Daniel J. Terra Collection
Object number1992.147
SignedCenter toward right edge: butterfly monogram
InterpretationCarlyle’s Sweetstuff Shop is one of several small-scale paintings that James McNeill Whistler made of old shop fronts in Holland and England. This work formerly was known by the title Shop Front, Soho, but its close resemblance to the artist’s paintings of shop fronts in Chelsea suggests that the painting may depict a scene in that London neighborhood, where the artist resided intermittently beginning in the 1860s. In this work, Whistler used the modest shop front to explore the boundaries between representation and pure design. His subject’s quaintly irregular architecture, with its dense rectilinear geometry of painted walls and shutter, glazed windows, and open door, presents a variety of surface materials and textures as well as an interplay of solids and voids. At the center of the composition, the sketchy forms of two children in the doorway subtly animate the scene just as the bright note of red sets off the subdued hues of the roughened exterior. Thinly painted in dryly brushed, semi-transparent glazes and presented close-up and head-on, the building’s façade threatens to dissolve from an illusionistic "picture" of a shop front into an abstract, grid-like design on the flat surface of the panel.
The artist first demonstrated his interest in the interiors and exteriors of quaint old buildings he saw in England and throughout Europe when he created his first set of etchings, the so-called "French Set" of 1858. He returned to the subject again during the year he spent in Venice, in 1879–1880, where he made several etchings in which the highly ornamented façades of Renaissance palazzi and other old buildings, presented frontally, fill the composition; several are in the Terra Foundation’s collection. In the following decade and beyond, Whistler continued this theme in both paintings and prints. As in A Chelsea Shop, (TF 1992.148) also in the Terra Foundation collection, in Carlyle’s Sweetstuff Shop he allowed the cropped, close-up view of the shop front to fill the small surface of the panel support for an intimate and informal, even sketch-like effect consistent with its modest subject. Whistler made many such small panel paintings: portable, quickly executed, and saleable, they also emphasized creative presence and processes. Thus these small works reified the artist’s rejection of the convention of the grand studio picture designed to dominate exhibitions by virtue of their large scale and high degree of finish.
From the mid-nineteenth century on, urban life drew the attention of English and American artists. Most portrayed scenes of city life with a high degree of technical finish, narrative anecdote, and pointed morality. In keeping with his credo of "art for art’s sake," Whistler’s approach was more detached. As Carlyle’s Sweetstuff Shop demonstrates, his selective view of modern London emphasizes the metropolis’ quaint, village-like aspect through a non-narrative exploration of its built environment. Ultimately, however, the artist’s affectionate interest in the archaic shop front’s weathered charm gives way to a probing emphasis on its formal possibilities. His passionate expression of the abstract design found in the world around him has earned Whistler recognition as a founder of artistic modernism, whose practitioners rejected narrative, sentiment, and even representation in their revolutionary redefinition of art itself.
The artist first demonstrated his interest in the interiors and exteriors of quaint old buildings he saw in England and throughout Europe when he created his first set of etchings, the so-called "French Set" of 1858. He returned to the subject again during the year he spent in Venice, in 1879–1880, where he made several etchings in which the highly ornamented façades of Renaissance palazzi and other old buildings, presented frontally, fill the composition; several are in the Terra Foundation’s collection. In the following decade and beyond, Whistler continued this theme in both paintings and prints. As in A Chelsea Shop, (TF 1992.148) also in the Terra Foundation collection, in Carlyle’s Sweetstuff Shop he allowed the cropped, close-up view of the shop front to fill the small surface of the panel support for an intimate and informal, even sketch-like effect consistent with its modest subject. Whistler made many such small panel paintings: portable, quickly executed, and saleable, they also emphasized creative presence and processes. Thus these small works reified the artist’s rejection of the convention of the grand studio picture designed to dominate exhibitions by virtue of their large scale and high degree of finish.
From the mid-nineteenth century on, urban life drew the attention of English and American artists. Most portrayed scenes of city life with a high degree of technical finish, narrative anecdote, and pointed morality. In keeping with his credo of "art for art’s sake," Whistler’s approach was more detached. As Carlyle’s Sweetstuff Shop demonstrates, his selective view of modern London emphasizes the metropolis’ quaint, village-like aspect through a non-narrative exploration of its built environment. Ultimately, however, the artist’s affectionate interest in the archaic shop front’s weathered charm gives way to a probing emphasis on its formal possibilities. His passionate expression of the abstract design found in the world around him has earned Whistler recognition as a founder of artistic modernism, whose practitioners rejected narrative, sentiment, and even representation in their revolutionary redefinition of art itself.
W. O'Leary, Detroit, Michigan
John L. Robertson, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 1925–35
Mrs. John L. Robertson (bequeathed to wife of John L. Robertson)
Descended in family to Mrs. Robert W. Maloney, Jr., by 1972 (Jean Robertson, daughter of John L. Robertson)
Hirschl & Adler Galleries, Inc., New York, New York
Thomas Agnew & Son, London, England
Anthony D'Offay, London, England, 1979
Hazlitt, Gooden & Fox, London, England
Dr. John E. Larkin, White Bear Lake, Minnesota, 1979
Knoedler-Modarco S.A., New York, New York
Daniel J. Terra Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1985
Terra Foundation for the Arts Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1992
Exhibition History
Exhibition of Whistler's Work, College for Men and Women, London, England, May 2–?, 1889.
18th, 19th, and 20th Century American Painting and Sculpture, M. Knoedler & Company, New York, New York, Summer–September 3, 1965, no. 53 (as Shop Front, Soho).
Whistler: The Later Years, University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor, Michigan, August 27–October 8, 1978, no. 36 (as Shop Front, Soho).
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.]
Collection Cameo, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, January 1994.
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 (on exhibit partial run: April 1–September 18, 1994).
James McNeill Whistler: Retrospective Exhibition, 1994–1995, Tate Gallery, London, England, Réunion des Musées Nationaux, Paris (Musée d'Orsay) and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. (organizer). Venues: Tate Gallery, London, England, October 12, 1994–January 8, 1995; Réunion des Musées Nationaux, Paris (Musée d'Orsay), February 6–-April 30, 1995; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., May 28–August 20, 1995. [exh. cat.]
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.
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–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.
18th, 19th, and 20th Century American Painting and Sculpture, M. Knoedler & Company, New York, New York, Summer–September 3, 1965, no. 53 (as Shop Front, Soho).
Whistler: The Later Years, University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor, Michigan, August 27–October 8, 1978, no. 36 (as Shop Front, Soho).
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.]
Collection Cameo, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, January 1994.
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 (on exhibit partial run: April 1–September 18, 1994).
James McNeill Whistler: Retrospective Exhibition, 1994–1995, Tate Gallery, London, England, Réunion des Musées Nationaux, Paris (Musée d'Orsay) and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. (organizer). Venues: Tate Gallery, London, England, October 12, 1994–January 8, 1995; Réunion des Musées Nationaux, Paris (Musée d'Orsay), February 6–-April 30, 1995; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., May 28–August 20, 1995. [exh. cat.]
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.
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–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.
Echo (May 20, 1889).
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. 375, p. 169; pl. 223 (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. 94, 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-38, p. 147 (color).
Carlyle's Sweetstuff Shop, James Abbott McNeill Whistler. Collection Cameo sheet, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, January 1994. Ill. (black & white).
Dorment, Richard and Margaret F. MacDonald et al. James McNeill Whistler. (exh. cat., Tate Gallery). London, England: Tate Gallery, 1994. Text no. 158, p. 239; ill. no. 158, p. 239 (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).
Hausberg, Meg, and Victoria Sancho Lobis. Whistler and Roussel: Linked Visions. Chicago: The Art Institute of Chicago, 2015. Essay text para 6, fig. 1; cat. no. 1.7 (checklist; color).
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. 375, p. 169; pl. 223 (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. 94, 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-38, p. 147 (color).
Carlyle's Sweetstuff Shop, James Abbott McNeill Whistler. Collection Cameo sheet, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, January 1994. Ill. (black & white).
Dorment, Richard and Margaret F. MacDonald et al. James McNeill Whistler. (exh. cat., Tate Gallery). London, England: Tate Gallery, 1994. Text no. 158, p. 239; ill. no. 158, p. 239 (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).
Hausberg, Meg, and Victoria Sancho Lobis. Whistler and Roussel: Linked Visions. Chicago: The Art Institute of Chicago, 2015. Essay text para 6, fig. 1; cat. no. 1.7 (checklist; color).