The art of Rex Whistler, 1905–1944
Rex Whistler photographed by Cecil Beaton.
British artist Reginald John “Rex” Whistler isn’t heard of much these days, partly because he died young, partly because his work was decorative, rather than gallery-oriented, but mostly because his art, although very much of its time, went against the grain of prevailing Modernist trends. Indeed, he’s so poorly discussed in art histories that for a long while I thought he must be the son of the considerably more famous James Whistler, a man old enough to be his father and who—although American—spent much of his later life in London. Poor Rex is snubbed by the usually reliable Artcyclopedia which brings up a list of James’s paintings when you type in Rex’s name.
Whistler’s art is of that peculiarly English (as distinct from British) variety that’s rather kitsch—or even outright camp—and deliberately nostalgic. He made a name for himself between the two world wars when there was a vogue for this kind of thing, even as the tides of Modernism were sweeping away the last vestiges of Victorian decadence. His friendship with the deliberately fey “Bright Young Things” (the Sitwells, the Mitfords, Stephen Tennant, Cecil Beaton, et al) gave him access to an aristocratic circle that delighted in his murals and country house designs. These were mostly clever pastiches of Regency styles, so well done in fact that one often has to look twice to see that they’re not the genuine article. He was also well-regarded as a book and magazine illustrator and for the Shell company produced a series of curious ad illustrations depicting heads which show another face when viewed upside down.
The web is still a poor place for the byways of art so there’s very little of Whistler’s work to be seen online, the samples below being from a fairly thorough trawl. As for the artist, he became a tank commander during the Second World War and was killed in action in Normandy.
Update: For those who arrive here after searching for “rex whistler gay”, all I can say is there are few clues to his sexuality either way so one has to make assumptions. He never married, spent a lot of time hanging around with (and posing for…) notorious screamers like Cecil Beaton and Osbert Sitwell and all his art is decidely camp; draw your own conclusions.
Update 2: Some extra pictures added after more have turned up online.
Update 3: Whistler profiled for a recent exhibition.
Update 4: Rex Whistler at VTS: I | II | III
HRH, the Prince of Wales, Awakening the Spirit of Brighton.
Plas Newydd mural (detail; see the complete work here).
The Mermaid: Design for a Cave Room.
In the Wilderness.
The Triumph of Neptune carpet design.
The Lord Fish by Walter de la Mare.
Elsewhere on { feuilleton }
• The gay artists archive
• The illustrators archive
14 Comments, Comment or Ping
#1 posted by John
Agreed, Rex Whistler is a sadly overlooked artist and illustrator. Like a lot of his contemporaries his work attempted to span the gulf between fine art and graphic art, unfortunate for him he lived out of time - fine art critics were not interested in traditional backstepping, and the First World War put an end to the production of sumptuous books of the Golden Age period.
Thanks very much for posting these images, there’s not much on the web at all!
John
May 7th, 2007
#2 posted by John
Thanks John. That’s just the purpose I’ve had with many of these posts, drawing attention to neglected or marginalised artists.
May 8th, 2007
#3 posted by Vanessa
Many thanks for an unstuffy article.
I have just reurned from visit to Plas Newydd and was stunned by the technical mastery involved in this particular Whistler mural. It is a shame that more people cannot see it “in situ”. It needs to be seen within the room because that is the whole point. the space is restricted and the visual tricks and perspectives required to make the panel function are amazing.
To other prospective visitors to plas newydd - the NT does not open the house until midday.
Jul 23rd, 2007
#4 posted by John
Thanks Vanessa. I’d love to see his some of his murals in their original setting. Plas Newydd isn’t so far from here so I should maybe organise an outing one day.
Jul 24th, 2007
#5 posted by Martyn
Spent a Saturday afternoon, recently, at Mottisfont Abbey , Romsey, Hampshire where Whistler (Rex) painted a magnificant drawing room in his inimatatable style after the Lady of the house had originaly decided not to go along with scheme.
He aparantly waited for her to go away on a short holiday and completed the room anyway.
During his work here war broke out and he left his comments on the matter for all to see!
I.m not arty person however I found Whistlers work breathtaking, albeit camper than a row of tents!!
Mart.
Aug 7th, 2007
#6 posted by Doris
According to Edith Olivier (cousin to Laurence), Rex swung both ways. He had some male lovers as a young man and then fell very hard for two women just before he left to serve in WWII.
The book is:
Edith Olivier from her Journals 1924 - 1948
by Penelope Middleboe
Weidenfeld & Nicholson, London, 1989
Nov 1st, 2007
#7 posted by John
Thanks for that Doris, can’t help but be fascinated even though in the end it’s always the work that counts. He was a handsome fellow, that’s for sure.
Nov 2nd, 2007
#8 posted by Doris
It is the work that counts, not where a person finds love.
I was responding to the question. He was a handsome man and one can imagine all the interest he must have garnered for his beauty.
According to the book, Edith and Rex had a close friendship that lasted almost twenty years. She was not a little in love with him herself (it might have been an easy state in which to enter).
His work is delightful and I admire his drawing and technical ability.
I am sad that I never had a chance to see the exhibit. Do you know there is a catalog to be found anywhere?
If this exhibit didn’t do it, I think that he should be added to the lists of great illustrators of the world. His book jackets for Beverley Nichols’ books are delightful — and very much of their time, of course.
Nov 4th, 2007
#9 posted by John
There was an exhibition of his work at the Brighton Museum last year:
http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART36519.html
It’s probable they have a catalogue for that as I have a book catalogue they produced for an earlier exhibition about the life and Surrealist art collection of Edward James.
And Abebooks.com lists a number of Whistler-related books. Abe is great for finding out-of-print works; I think I may order some of those myself.
Nov 4th, 2007
#10 posted by Ruth Whistler
It is really interesting to read articles like this; Rex and Lawrence were my Great Uncles although I never met them…some family falling out on that side of things I think. I wish I knew more about them, and websites like this make really great reading. Thanks for putting this up.
I’ve been to Plas Newydd and seen the amazing mural, I have a framed print of it, but there’s nothing like the real thing, always something new to discover!
Feb 5th, 2008
#11 posted by Nigel Shillito
Hi. Rex Whistler was indeed a rare and gifted spirit whose life touched and entwined with a large number of influential and talented peiople of his day. Through his friendship with the aristocrat Stephen Tennant who he met at the Slade, and the support of HenryTonks his Professor he was introduced into a circle of people who appreciated his talent and and had the resources to encourage his genius. His friendship with the author Edith Olivier who was a friend of Pamela Gray, Stephen`s mother, led to many more introductions with the rich and famous.
Rex was friends with such diverse people as the photographer Cecil Beaton, the Great War poet Siegfried Sassoon and the American film and stage actress Tallulah Bankhead who according his brother Laurence took his virginity. He was friends with Lord David Cecil, the Oxford Don, the musician and composer William Walton and the architect Edwin Lutyens. Hard to beat that as a list of contacts!
The best sources I have found researching this mans memorable and romantic life (One day its just got to be a great Movie) are
Rex Whistler His Life and his Drawings by Laurence Whistler
THe Laughter and the Urn The LIfe of Rex Whistler By Laurence Whistler
Edith Olivier From her Journals By Penelope Middleboe.
There also lots of other interesting snipets of information in other books such as
Ashcombe, The story of a Fifteen Lease by Cecil Beaton
Serious Pleasures The Life of Stephen Tennant by Philip Hoare
Tallulah My Autobiography by Tallulah Bankhead.
Initials in the Heart by Laurence Whistler
There are good summaries and views on his life in the catologues from his work that went with the most recent exhibitions. These are
Rex Whistler`s War 1939 to July 1944 Artist to Tank Commander By Jenny Spencer Smth from the 1994 exhibition
Rex Whistler The Triumph of Fancy by Stephen Calloway from the 2006 Brighton Exhibition.
The definitive catalogue of his work is The Work of Rex Whistler by Laurence Whistler and Ronald Fuller printed in 1960 but this is rare ,expensive and hard to get hold of. I also doubt that it is complete as the artist was incredibly prolific and gave a lot of minor stuff away. However, what he could draw or paint in an hour most people could not aspire to in a life time.
There is no doubt that the considerable efforts of his devoted brother Laurence who died in 2000 has ensured that his memory will keep burning and his unique talents will continue to be appreciated by future generations.
Apr 27th, 2008
#12 posted by John
Hi Nigel. Many thanks for taking the time to post that information. I didn’t know Stephen Calloway had written about Whistler, I’ll have to track down a copy of his book, he’s always very thorough.
Apr 28th, 2008
#13 posted by Maureen Emerson
I have just published a biography of Winifred, Lady Fortescue and her entourage – title Escape to Provence. The Paget family, and thus Plas Newydd and Rex Whistler are an important part of this book. The curator of Modern British Pictures at the Louvre in Paris is deeply interested in Rex Whistler. I met this gentleman last year and have corresponded with him. He is one of those responsible for the new Louvre at Lens in northern France. Hopefully he may one day be able to introduce a Rex Whistler painting. But he has made no promises!
Sep 27th, 2008
#14 posted by Lucy Watson
His murals are lovely, but my favourite of his work is his self portrait in his Welsh Guards uniform - it made for a lovely poster that was on sale at the time of the “Rex Whistler’s War” exhibition at the National Army Museum a few years ago. I met someone recently whose grandfather had served with Rex and Rex had painted the angel that has sat at the top of his family’s Christmas tree for the last 60 odd years.
Oct 9th, 2008
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