Beatrice Whistler
| Beatrice Whistler | |
|---|---|
c. 1887
|
|
| Born |
12 May 1857 Chelsea, London, England |
| Died | 10 May 1896 (aged 38) Hampstead Heath, London |
| Other names | Beatrix Trixie |
| Occupation | Artist and artist’s model |
| Spouse(s) |
Edward William Godwin (1876-1885) James McNeill Whistler (1888-1896) |
| Parent(s) | John Birnie Philip and Frances Black |
Beatrice Whistler (also known as Beatrix or Trixie; 12 May 1857 – 10 May 1896) was born in Chelsea, London on 12 May 1857. She was the eldest daughter of ten children of the sculptor John Birnie Philip and Frances Black. She studied art in her father's studio and with Edward William Godwin who was an architect-designer. On 4 January 1876 she became the second wife of Edward Godwin. Following the death of Godwin, Beatrice married James McNeill Whistler on 11 August 1888.
Edward Godwin and Beatrice had a son together, also called Edward (1876-1951), who became known as a sculptor. He created the bronze angels that were placed on the Whistlers' tomb in Chiswick Old Cemetery.
Her sister Ethel Whibley had been the secretary to Whistler before her marriage to the writer Charles Whibley. After the death of Beatrice in 1896, her younger sister Rosalind Birnie Philip acted as secretary to Whistler and was appointed Whistler's executrix in his will. In Whistler's correspondence Beatrice was referred to a 'Trixie' or 'Chinkie' and also ‘Luck’ and ‘Wam’; his sister-in-law and secretary (1890–94) Ethel Whibley was 'Bunnie'; his brother-in-law Charles Whibley was 'Wobbles'; and Rosalind was referred to as (the 'Major'); with Whistler signing family correspondence as the 'General' when he did not sign with his butterfly signature.
Maud Franklin had been Whistler’s main model since the 1870s and became Whistler’s mistress. She called herself "Mrs Whistler", with Whistler usually referring to her in company as "Madame". Whistler showed no intention of marrying Maud. Through his friendship with Edward Godwin, Whistler become close to Beatrice (or "Trixie" as he called her). Whistler painted her in the full-length portrait titled Harmony in Red: Lamplight (GLAHA 46315). In 1885 Beatrice separated from her husband as a result of his compulsive philandering. Godwin died in 1886. By the summer of 1888 Whistler and Beatrice appeared in public as a couple. At a dinner Louise Jopling and Henry Labouchère insisted that they should be married before the end of the week.
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