Organizer Information
The Spector Family Foundation, in collaboration with Tate Britain, the Colby College Museum of Art (USA), and the Hunterian Art Gallery (UK), is launching a major research project funded by the Lunder Foundation. This initiative centers on the conservation and technical study of James McNeill Whistler’s work. As a pioneer of modern painting, Whistler’s influence spans the 19th and 20th centuries. The project aims to bridge the gap between technical conservation findings and art historical narratives, leading up to a major retrospective at Tate Britain in 2026.
Title & Description
Call for Papers: Whistler’s Finish (Tate Papers Special Edition)
This open call seeks scholarly contributions for a special edition of Tate Papers focused on the materials, techniques, and the concept of "finish" in the work of James McNeill Whistler. The call coincides with a year-long conservation project investigating twelve key works across three major collections. Contributors are invited to explore Whistler’s unique understanding of when a painting was "complete" and how he used surface handling—materially and aesthetically—to craft meaning. It also looks at how 21st-century perceptions of art "finish" align or clash with Whistler's own theories.
Categories
The call is for Scholarly Papers and Research Articles. Key areas of focus include:
- Scholarly evaluation of Whistler’s process and use of materials.
- Conceptual, technical, or historical considerations of "finish."
- Comparative studies placing Whistler in conversation with other artists (contemporary or historical).
- Whistler’s technical and artistic legacy in the modern era.
Eligibility
- Who: Art historians, conservators, technical researchers, curators, and independent scholars.
- Scope: International.
- Expertise: Applicants should have a background in 19th-century art history, conservation science, or technical art history.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Publication: Selected papers will be published in a special edition of Tate Papers, a respected, peer-reviewed scholarly journal.
- Visibility: Contributors will be associated with a landmark 2026 retrospective at Tate Britain.
- Academic Validation: Submissions undergo a formal peer-review process, adding significant weight to a researcher's professional portfolio.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Text should be submitted as a Word (.doc or .docx) document.
- Images should be submitted as .jpg (or .jpeg) files with a minimum resolution of 72 dpi and 1200 px on the longest side. They should be no larger than 4 MB.
- Videos should be submitted as .mp4 files at the highest possible resolution. Video files will be hosted on the Tate YouTube account.
- Sound files should be submitted as WAV files.
- Images, videos and sound files should be sent as a download link using Dropbox, WeTransfer or Google Drive.
How to Apply?
Please send submissions to us by email to: tatepapers@tate.org.uk, including your full name and affiliation, as well as those of any co-authors or contributors.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 February 2026
- Exhibition Date: The James McNeill Whistler major retrospective is scheduled for 2026 at Tate Britain.
Location
Tate Britain, London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
This call is deeply integrated with a conservation research project that includes technical findings from twelve works across the Tate, Colby College, and The Hunterian. The resulting publication is intended to be a lasting scholarly resource that re-evaluates Whistler's legacy through the lens of modern conservation science.