Lot Essay
Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) was one of the greatest men of letters of the 19th century. Born in Dumfriesshire to a family of agricultural labourers, he entered Edinburgh University at the age of 15 and thereafter contributed reviews on German literature to various Scottish publications. He moved to Cheyne Row in Chelsea in 1834 and published his celebrated work on the French Revolution in 1837. Lectures 'On Heroes, Hero Worship and the Heroic in History' followed in 1841, with publications on Chartism and the future of labour, Past and Present, appearing almost simultaneously. Further major works, Oliver Cromwell's Letters and Speeches, The Life of John Sterling and A History of Frederick the Great followed in 1845, 1851 and between 1858 and 1865. Several volumes of Carlyle's correspondence were also published posthumously.
Walter Greaves, a neighbour of Carlyle's at Lindsay Row (now 104 Cheyne Walk), was the son of a Chelsea boat builder who was also Turner's boatman. With his brother Henry, he introduced Whistler, who moved in 1863 to 7 Lindsay Row (now 101 Cheyne Walk), to the beauty of the river Thames. In return for showing him the houses, wharfs and wharehouses along the river banks, Greaves progressed from boatman to Whistler's studio assistant and pupil. The present drawing predates a full length oil, completed in 1872 and exhibited at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. It was executed simultaneously with Whistler's Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 2: Portrait of Thomas Carlyle, (City Art Gallery, Glasgow). Carlyle also sat to G.F. Watts, Millais, and his friend Helen Allingham.
Walter Greaves, a neighbour of Carlyle's at Lindsay Row (now 104 Cheyne Walk), was the son of a Chelsea boat builder who was also Turner's boatman. With his brother Henry, he introduced Whistler, who moved in 1863 to 7 Lindsay Row (now 101 Cheyne Walk), to the beauty of the river Thames. In return for showing him the houses, wharfs and wharehouses along the river banks, Greaves progressed from boatman to Whistler's studio assistant and pupil. The present drawing predates a full length oil, completed in 1872 and exhibited at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. It was executed simultaneously with Whistler's Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 2: Portrait of Thomas Carlyle, (City Art Gallery, Glasgow). Carlyle also sat to G.F. Watts, Millais, and his friend Helen Allingham.