At no time was there any question of price or money involved; he simply did not wish to part with the last of his three marines.
It was not until about 1890, and after, that Whistler’s paintings began to sell at anything like their real worth. To his credit be it said, his work was never “popular.”
By his independence, his seeming defiance of all conventional and academic notions in his art, his eccentricities, and his lack of commercial instincts he managed, at a very early period in his career, to alienate,—
Dealers,
Painters, and
Public,
the three factors upon which commercial success depends.
“A millionaire—one who was getting up an art-gallery—went to Whistler’s studio and glanced casually at the pictures.
“‘How much for the lot?’ he asked, with the confidence of one who owns gold mines.
“‘Your millions,’ said Whistler.