Skip to main contentProvenanceThe artist
Miss R. Birnie Philip (bequest by artist)
M. Knoedler & Company, London, England, December 1954
Mrs. Richard Warde, London, England
Christie's London, England, March 5, 1965
P. & D. Colnaghi & Company, London, England
Private collection
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)
The Sea, Pourville
1899
Oil on panel
Image: 5 1/4 × 9 3/8 in. (13.3 × 23.8 cm)
Frame: 14 1/2 × 18 × 1 7/8 in. (36.8 × 45.7 × 4.8 cm)
Frame: 14 1/2 × 18 × 1 7/8 in. (36.8 × 45.7 × 4.8 cm)
Credit LineTerra Foundation for American Art, Daniel J. Terra Collection
Object number1992.158
SignedLower left: butterfly monogram
InterpretationThe Sea, Pourville shows the beach at Pourville-sur-Mer, near Dieppe, in the French Atlantic province of Normandy. Painted with thinly applied pigment, through which the texture of the supporting panel is visible, the scene consists of three broad, unbounded bands of cloud-filled sky, green water enlivened by the white crests of waves, and softly mounded sand. Scattered figures among the waves and walking along the beach testify to Pourville’s popularity as a seaside resort, but James McNeill Whistler’s muted palette and signs of a windy, overcast day evoke the coming chill of autumn. Despite the painting’s summary execution, sketch-like intimacy, and diminutive scale, the illusion of a receding expanse of sea is fully realized through such elements as the cloud forms and the darker line of green on the horizon, where a distant ship appears; delicately painted, the wind-tossed garments of the promenading figures lend a note of anecdotal realism to the scene. The quickly sketched figure of a small dog on the beach at the right is echoed at lower left by three spots that compose the stylized butterfly motif the artist used as his distinctive signature.
In the years following the death of his beloved wife, Beatrice Birnie Philip Godwin, in 1896, Whistler traveled restlessly in pursuit of solace as well as subject matter. Attended by his sisters-in-law, Ethel Whibley and Rosalind Birnie Philip, he stayed at Pourville-sur-Mer for several weeks in the late summer of 1899 while convalescing from recurring illness. The high vantage point of The Sea, Pourville suggests that it may have been painted from the balcony of his hotel room at the Pavillon-Madaleine. Staying close to his lodgings, Whistler worked with easily portable materials, such as small panels, that allowed him to paint outdoors and complete a work with relative ease.
Whistler had always been fascinated by the sea. Beginning in the 1880s, his most creative, independent efforts in painting were reserved for intimate, quickly made depictions of two major subjects, quaint old shop fronts and the sea. The artist’s favored formula for both was a head-on approach without framing elements or significant context. While the shop fronts offered virtually no recession into depth and the sea views almost infinite spatial expansion, Whistler’s frontal presentation exploited both subjects’ potential for flat, geometrically ordered composition. Whistler’s penchant for flattening and abstracting his subjects laid the groundwork for the radical modernism of the early twentieth century.
In the years following the death of his beloved wife, Beatrice Birnie Philip Godwin, in 1896, Whistler traveled restlessly in pursuit of solace as well as subject matter. Attended by his sisters-in-law, Ethel Whibley and Rosalind Birnie Philip, he stayed at Pourville-sur-Mer for several weeks in the late summer of 1899 while convalescing from recurring illness. The high vantage point of The Sea, Pourville suggests that it may have been painted from the balcony of his hotel room at the Pavillon-Madaleine. Staying close to his lodgings, Whistler worked with easily portable materials, such as small panels, that allowed him to paint outdoors and complete a work with relative ease.
Whistler had always been fascinated by the sea. Beginning in the 1880s, his most creative, independent efforts in painting were reserved for intimate, quickly made depictions of two major subjects, quaint old shop fronts and the sea. The artist’s favored formula for both was a head-on approach without framing elements or significant context. While the shop fronts offered virtually no recession into depth and the sea views almost infinite spatial expansion, Whistler’s frontal presentation exploited both subjects’ potential for flat, geometrically ordered composition. Whistler’s penchant for flattening and abstracting his subjects laid the groundwork for the radical modernism of the early twentieth century.
Miss R. Birnie Philip (bequest by artist)
M. Knoedler & Company, London, England, December 1954
Mrs. Richard Warde, London, England
Christie's London, England, March 5, 1965
P. & D. Colnaghi & Company, London, England
Private collection
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
James McNeill Whistler, Arts Council Gallery, London, England, September 1–24, 1960; M. Knoedler & Company, New York, New York, November 2–30, 1960. [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.]
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, Minneapolis, 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.
American Treasures: Chase, Whistler and the Prendergasts, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, April 26, 1996–January 5, 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.
Rivières et rivages: les artistes américains, 1850–1900 (Waves and Waterways: American Perspectives, 1850–1900), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 1–October 31, 2000. [exh. cat.]
Selections from the Permanent Collection: American Artists in France, 1860–1910, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, March 10–June 3, 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.
Le Temps des loisirs : peintures américaines (At Leisure: American Paintings), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, July 15–October 31, 2007.
Le Temps des loisirs : peintures américaines (At Leisure: American Paintings), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 1–October 31, 2008.
American Impressionism: a New Vision, 1880–1900 (L'Impressionnisme et les Américains/ Impresionismo Americano (French & Spanish titles), Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, Giverny, France and the Terra Foundation for American Art, Chicago, Illinois in collaboration with the National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain (organizers). Venues: Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, Giverny, France, March 28–June 29, 2014; Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, July 19–October 19, 2014; Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain, November 4, 2014–February 1, 2015. [exh. cat.]
Gallery Installation, Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, Massachusetts (organizer). Venues: Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, Massachusetts, June 27, 2015–May 31, 2016.
The Studio of Nature, 1860-1910: The Terra Collection in Context (L’atelier de la Nature, 1860-1910. Invitation à la Terra Collection). Terra Foundation for American Art with the Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny (organizers). Venue: Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, France, September 12, 2020–January 3, 2021. [exh. cat. in French]
Whistler to Cassatt: American Painters in France, Denver Museum of Fine Arts, Denver (organizer); Venues: Denver Art Museum, November 14, 2021 - March 13, 2022; Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, April 16 - July 31, 2022. [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.]
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, Minneapolis, 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.
American Treasures: Chase, Whistler and the Prendergasts, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, April 26, 1996–January 5, 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.
Rivières et rivages: les artistes américains, 1850–1900 (Waves and Waterways: American Perspectives, 1850–1900), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 1–October 31, 2000. [exh. cat.]
Selections from the Permanent Collection: American Artists in France, 1860–1910, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, March 10–June 3, 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.
Le Temps des loisirs : peintures américaines (At Leisure: American Paintings), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, July 15–October 31, 2007.
Le Temps des loisirs : peintures américaines (At Leisure: American Paintings), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 1–October 31, 2008.
American Impressionism: a New Vision, 1880–1900 (L'Impressionnisme et les Américains/ Impresionismo Americano (French & Spanish titles), Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, Giverny, France and the Terra Foundation for American Art, Chicago, Illinois in collaboration with the National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain (organizers). Venues: Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, Giverny, France, March 28–June 29, 2014; Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, July 19–October 19, 2014; Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain, November 4, 2014–February 1, 2015. [exh. cat.]
Gallery Installation, Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, Massachusetts (organizer). Venues: Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, Massachusetts, June 27, 2015–May 31, 2016.
The Studio of Nature, 1860-1910: The Terra Collection in Context (L’atelier de la Nature, 1860-1910. Invitation à la Terra Collection). Terra Foundation for American Art with the Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny (organizers). Venue: Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, France, September 12, 2020–January 3, 2021. [exh. cat. in French]
Whistler to Cassatt: American Painters in France, Denver Museum of Fine Arts, Denver (organizer); Venues: Denver Art Museum, November 14, 2021 - March 13, 2022; Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, April 16 - July 31, 2022. [exh. cat.]
Young, Andrew McLaren. James McNeill Whistler. (exh. cat., Knoedler & Company, The Arts Council Gallery). New York: Knoedler & Company and London, England: The Arts Council Gallery, 1960. Pl. 27.
"'The Sale Room', by 'J. W.'." Apollo 72 (May 1965): 421. Ill. p. 421 (black & white).
Young, Andrew McLaren, Margaret F. MacDonald, and 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. 520, p. 221; pl. 333 (black & white).
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. Text p. 18; ill. no. 122, p. 85 (color).
"Whistler at Knoedler." Apollo 120 (December 1984): 428. Text p. 428; pl. XI, p. 428 (color).
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-43, p. 152 (color).
Gerdts, William H. et al. Lasting Impressions: American Painters in France, 1865–1915. (exh. cat., Musée d'Art Américain Giverny). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 1992. Text p. 39; fig. 27, p. 38 (black & white).
Gerdts, William H. et al. Impressions de toujours: les peintres américains en France, 1865–1915. (exh. cat., Musée d'Art Américain Giverny). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 1992. Text p. 39; fig. 27, p. 38 (black & white).
Regard sur cinq années d'expositions (Five years of Exhibitions at a Glance). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 1997. Ill. p. 70 (color).
Un été au bord de l’eau : Loisirs et impressionnisme. (exh. cat., Caen, musée des Beaux-Arts and la Réunion des musées nationaux – Grand Palais dans le cadre du Festival « Normandie Impressionniste »). Paris: France: Editions de la Réunion des musées nationaux – Grand Palais, 2013. Text p. 81; cat. no. 30, p. 81 (color).
Bourguignon, Katherine M. American Impressionism: A New Vision 1880-1900. (exh. cat., Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, National Galleries of Scotland, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza). Giverny, France: Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, 2014. (English, French and Spanish versions). Ill. p. 123 (color).
Bourguignon, Katherine and Valerie Reis. The Studio of Nature, 1860-1910: The Terra Collection in Context. (exh. cat, Terra Foundation for American Art with the Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny). Paris, France: Réunion des musées nationaux, 2020. Text p. 45, 88; Pl. 27, p. 92 (color).
Standring, Timothy J., ed. Whistler to Cassatt: American Painters in France. (exh. cat., Denver Art Museum). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2021. Text p. 24; ill. p. 22 (color).
"'The Sale Room', by 'J. W.'." Apollo 72 (May 1965): 421. Ill. p. 421 (black & white).
Young, Andrew McLaren, Margaret F. MacDonald, and 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. 520, p. 221; pl. 333 (black & white).
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. Text p. 18; ill. no. 122, p. 85 (color).
"Whistler at Knoedler." Apollo 120 (December 1984): 428. Text p. 428; pl. XI, p. 428 (color).
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-43, p. 152 (color).
Gerdts, William H. et al. Lasting Impressions: American Painters in France, 1865–1915. (exh. cat., Musée d'Art Américain Giverny). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 1992. Text p. 39; fig. 27, p. 38 (black & white).
Gerdts, William H. et al. Impressions de toujours: les peintres américains en France, 1865–1915. (exh. cat., Musée d'Art Américain Giverny). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 1992. Text p. 39; fig. 27, p. 38 (black & white).
Regard sur cinq années d'expositions (Five years of Exhibitions at a Glance). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 1997. Ill. p. 70 (color).
Un été au bord de l’eau : Loisirs et impressionnisme. (exh. cat., Caen, musée des Beaux-Arts and la Réunion des musées nationaux – Grand Palais dans le cadre du Festival « Normandie Impressionniste »). Paris: France: Editions de la Réunion des musées nationaux – Grand Palais, 2013. Text p. 81; cat. no. 30, p. 81 (color).
Bourguignon, Katherine M. American Impressionism: A New Vision 1880-1900. (exh. cat., Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, National Galleries of Scotland, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza). Giverny, France: Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, 2014. (English, French and Spanish versions). Ill. p. 123 (color).
Bourguignon, Katherine and Valerie Reis. The Studio of Nature, 1860-1910: The Terra Collection in Context. (exh. cat, Terra Foundation for American Art with the Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny). Paris, France: Réunion des musées nationaux, 2020. Text p. 45, 88; Pl. 27, p. 92 (color).
Standring, Timothy J., ed. Whistler to Cassatt: American Painters in France. (exh. cat., Denver Art Museum). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2021. Text p. 24; ill. p. 22 (color).