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Post by Tricia on Jun 7, 2005 20:13:50 GMT -6
As I recall, the American artist James Whistler, the painter of "Arrangement in Grey and White: The Artist's Mother,' i.e., "Whistler's Mother," has a connection to the Custer legend. From what I understand he MAY have been a roommate to Major Marcus Reno while both attended West Point. Whistler was tossed out of the Academy after his first year and went on to be one of the greatest painters of the mid 19th Century. Does anybody have any more knowledge about this connection?
Regards, Leyton McLean
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Post by George Armstrong Custer on Jun 8, 2005 3:40:55 GMT -6
As I recall, the American artist James Whistler, the painter of "Arrangement in Grey and White: The Artist's Mother,' i.e., "Whistler's Mother," has a connection to the Custer legend. From what I understand he MAY have been a roommate to Major Marcus Reno while both attended West Point. Whistler was tossed out of the Academy after his first year and went on to be one of the greatest painters of the mid 19th Century. Does anybody have any more knowledge about this connection? Regards, Leyton McLean Hi there, Leyton! As you're aware, Reno and Whistler were classmates, joining the Point together in 1851. Whistler stuck it out until 1854, and Reno, of course, graduated 20th out of 38 in the Class of '57. What I can't establish is whether the two were actually roommates - although they do appear to have been friends. Perhaps someone out there has R. H. Nichols book In Custer's Shadow: Major Marcus Reno (University of Oklahoma, 2000), which could clarify this latter point? Whistler famously failed at chemistry at the Point, but I believe his leaving was a mutual agreement between his family and the authorities. The West Point archives hold a letter from Whistler's mother (she of the eponymous painting!), in which she petitions the Superintendent - at that time Robert E. Lee - to release her son. Given Whistler's academic performance, Lee clearly had no problem in acceding to Mrs Whistler's request. Perhaps the Whistler's were one of the reasons that Lee wrote of his time as Superintendent of the Point that 'The climate is as harsh to me as my duties & neither brings any pleasure.' [B. H. Reid, in Robert E. Lee: Icon for a Nation, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2005.] Whistler, not surprisingly, excelled in his West Point drawing class. One of his off-duty sketches is reproduced below, and its subject matter is probably a good indicator of the artists feelings about professional soldiering! Titled Cadet Nightmare from c. 1853-4, it is described thus in a turn of the century article by Day Allen Willey: Cadet Nightmare:There is an amusing (and quite possibly apocryphal) anecdote regarding Reno and Whistler on the Dark Bilious Vapors website, which goes as follows: 'While at West Point, Whistler was a classmate and friend of Marcus Albert Reno.........Whistler was a legend at West Point for having, during a chemistry exam (which he failed not surprisingly), answered that silicon was a gas. Supposedly, this led to the following exchange between Reno and Whistler during a get together after their West Point days: Whistler: "You know, Reno, if silicon was a gas I would have graduated from West Point and become a major-general." Reno: "Yes, and then nobody would have ever heard of your mother." This, if true, may be the only joke Reno ever cracked in his life.' ;D Ciao, GAC
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Post by Tricia on Jun 10, 2005 9:33:02 GMT -6
Thank you for the information, Ginril. Back in graduate school, I started a lifelong fascination with Whistler and his work (he was actually taken to court in London by John Ruskin because the old critic didn't think Whistler's stuff was 'art'). I had just become interested in the Custer legend and was really creeped out by the connection between my favorite painter and my now favorite fascination. I do seem to remember reading about the conversation between Whistler and Reno (he musta been lucid at the time) .... you've helped rattle the brain!
I like 'Cadet Nightmare.' Seems a bit Goya-esque ("Third of May") to me!
Regards, Leyton McLean
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