Did You Know...? Thomas Bayley Lawson

February 2016

Thomas Bayley Lawson (self-portrait shown above) was an American painter and a co-founder and the first President of the Lowell Art Association, Inc. The Lowell Art Association was founded in 1878, and established the Whistler House Museum of Art in 1908 as its permanent home.

Things you may not have known about Lawson:

• He was a native of Newburyport, MA, born in 1807.
• He established one of the first permanent art studios in Lowell in 1842.
• In 1844 a group of Lowell citizens, who were members of the Whig Party, financed a trip for Lawson to Washington to paint Daniel Webster, Secretary of State.
• In the 1870’s, he was commissioned to paint the portraits of Lowell’s early mayors.
• He is noted for his portraits and still life paintings. The WHMA has 9 works of his art in its permanent collection.

Tokay Grapes                                         Red and Yellow Grapes

Whistler and his Butterfly Signature

January 2016

Whistler and his butterfly

No one knows when James McNeill Whistler first used the butterfly as a signature in his paintings and prints. By the 1870's it had become a very important element in his works and he even used it as a decoration and signature on letters, notes and invitation cards. The butterfly symbol became so popular that people used to bring back paintings they had purchased before he started using the symbol so he could paint in on the ones they owned.

Whistler liked the effect of the butterfly because it resembled ideographs used in oriental works of art. (What is an ideograph? An ideograph or ideogram is a character or symbol which represents an idea or thing. Examples: $, %.)

Whistler used his butterfly both as a symbol for himself and as part of the design in his paintings and prints. Over the years, the butterfly design changed from simple to very complex and sometimes, Whistler added a stinging tail.

Christmas at America's Landmark Houses

December 2015

The Whistler House Museum of Art is featured in this newly released book!

Christmas at America’s Landmark Houses

by Patricia Hart McMillan & David Strahan

Published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.

Here is Christmas decorating, history, architecture, and interior design wrapped in one sparkling package. Three-hundred and sixty-three gorgeous, inspiring images provide leisurely looks at historic house interiors magically decorated for Christmas. Begin with the Foreword by Christopher Radko, famed re-creator of vintage Christmas ornaments. Tour historic holiday homes from the Whistler House, birthplace of famous American artist James McNeill Whistler, to Colonial Williamsburg, and look inside San Antonio’s most beautiful house–the Spanish Governor’s Palace. Marvel that a typical ranch-style house was home to two future US presidents, a first lady, and two governors. Visit the honeymoon home of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Enjoy the modest dwelling of Canadian WW I flying ace Billy Bishop, and tour the “castle” of Model A creator Edsel Ford. Some houses’ Christmas décorations are period correct; others are joyfully au courant.

Size: 8 1/2″ x 11″ | 363 color images | 256pp

Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. is a family-owned, independent publisher of high-quality, nonfiction books. Since 1974, Schiffer has published thousands of titles on the diverse subjects that fuel our readers' passions. From our traditional subjects of antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts, and military history, Schiffer has expanded its catalog to publish books on contemporary art and artists; architecture and design; food and entertaining; the metaphysical, paranormal and folklore; and pop and fringe culture, as well as books for children.

Books are currently available for sale at the Whistler House Museum of Art for $50. (Includes tax and shipping)  For more information, call 978-452-7641 or contact Executive Director Sara Bogosian at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

See our coverage in Boston Magazine!

Mary Rose O'Connell Solo Show

Sara, oil on linen

Whistler House studio artist Mary Rose O'Connell will have a solo exhibition at the Rockport Art Association from November 15 – November 27, 2015. There will be an opening reception on Sunday, November 15 from 2 - 4 pm.

Mary Rose will also have work in the 31st Almost Miniatures Show at Francesca Anderson Fine Art (Portraits North) in Lexington, MA from November 19, 2015 thru January 16, 2016.

Finally, you can view Mary Rose's working studio here at the Whistler House Museum of Art during normal museum hours - Wednesday through Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm.