ed: "What was the subject of the nocturne in
blue and silver belonging to Mr. Grahame?"
"A moonlight effect on the river near old Battersea Bridge."
"What has become of the nocturne in black and gold?"
"I believe it is before you." (_Laughter._)
The picture called the nocturne in blue and silver, was now produced
in Court.
"That is Mr. Grahame's picture. It represents Battersea Bridge by
moonlight."
BARON HUDDLESTON: "Which part of the picture is the bridge?"
(_Laughter._)
His Lordship earnestly rebuked those who laughed. And witness
explained to his Lordship the composition of the picture.
"Do you say that this is a correct representation of Battersea
Bridge?"
"I did not intend it to be a 'correct' portrait of the bridge. It is
only a moonlight scene and the pier in the centre of the picture may
not be like the piers at Battersea Bridge as you know them in broad
daylight. As to what the picture represents that depends upon who
looks at it. To some persons it may represent all that is intended; to
others it may represent nothing."
"The prevailing colour is blue?"
"Perhaps."
"Are those figures on the top of the bridge intended for people?"
"They are just what you like."
"Is that a barge beneath?"
"Yes. I am very much encouraged at your perceiving that. My whole
scheme was only to bring about a certain harmony of colour."
"What is that gold-coloured mark on the right of the picture like a
cascade?"
"The 'cascade of gold' is a firework."
A second nocturne in blue and silver was then produced.
WITNESS: "That represents another moonlight scene on the Thames
looking up Battersea Reach. I completed the mass of the picture in one
day."
The Court then adjourned. During the interval the jury visited the
Probate Court to view the pictures which had been collected in the
Westminster Palace Hotel.
After the Court had re-assembled the "Nocturne in Black and Gold" was
again produced, and Mr. WHISTLER was further cross-examined by the
ATTORNEY-GENERAL: "The picture represents a distant view of Cremorne
with a falling rocket and other fireworks. It occupied two days, and
is a finished picture. The black monogram on the frame was placed in
its position with reference to the proper decorative balance of the
whole."
"You have made the study of Art your study of a lifetime. Now, do you
think that anybody looking at that picture might fairly come to the
conclusion that it had no peculiar
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