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Kenneth and Lena Graeme

Kenneth and Lena Graeme

Wood engraving by the Dalziel Brothers (Edward (1817-1905) and Thomas (1823-1906)) from Whistler’s drawing on wood, published in Good Words, 1862.

Like Joanna Douglas below this is similar in spirit to those designed by the Pre-Raphaelites and their circle. They illustrate The Trial Sermon, by ‘M.C.’, in which Kenneth Graeme, a divinity student, decided to base his graduation sermon on an old sermon in a book that his sister Lena was reading, but rather than lose his fiancée, Joanna Douglas, he abandoned his plan and the chance of immediate graduation. The model for Joanna was Joanna Hiffernan, a red-haired Irish woman who had been Whistler’s mistress since 1861. She was his model in several other prints (see Weary).

Reitlinger Bequest 1950 (received 1991)

Collections record: P.1503-1991

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