Sitter

An artist in his studio, Freer Gallery of Art

This is not a self-portrait, but appears to illustrate Whistler's idea of what an artist might look like. MacDonald comments:

'Whistler was an attractive boy with elfin features and curly hair.... A similar child appears in a dream-like composition by Whistler of an artist surrounded by technical aids and puppet-like mannequins in life-like poses. An effeminate figure, wearing an embroidered jumper over narrow trousers, he appears deep in thought rather than action, but the straw hat and crossed swords on the wall hint at alternative, masculine, activities. A book on Henry Fuseli on the floor suggests an ironic take on romantic artistic genius.' 1