“Gad, sir,” he cried, in tones of amazement, “are you an R.A.?”
It is not within the range of possibilities that the Royal Academy, or any other institution, would have had any perceptible influence on Whistler’s art,—on that side he was indifferent to the influences which affect most men, to considerations of gain and popular appreciation.
In the account of a certain public sale the statement was printed that when one of his pictures was put up it was loudly hissed. He sat down and wrote the editor acknowledging the compliment, “the distinguished though unconscious compliment so publicly paid. It is rare that recognition so complete is made during the lifetime of the painter.”
Another time he said, “There are those, they tell me, who have the approval of the public, and live.”
Long after he ceased to exhibit at the Academy a lady met him at one of the exhibitions, and expressed her surprise.
“Well, you know,” he answered, “one must do something to lend interest to the show,—so here I am.”
Years after, the Academy, while Leighton was president, invited him to send some of his pictures, and here is the account of what happened:[22]
“He was in Brussels. There came a telegram from him to me which was a cry of exultation:
“‘My dear S.: The Lord hath delivered them into my hands. I am sending you by post their last dying confession.’
“And so next morning the post duly brought a letter from Whistler inclosing the official proposal from the Royal Academy, signed by Mr. Eaton, secretary to that distinguished body, inviting Whistler to contribute to a loan exhibition then presently to be held. Whistler wrote: