Detail from The Canal, Amsterdam, 1889, James McNeill Whistler, The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

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M.0498
Study for 'Portrait of Miss May Alexander'

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1874
Collection: British Museum, London
Accession Number: 1958-2-8-4
Medium: pen and dark brown ink
Support: cream laid paper with partial watermark 'N' and embossed monogram 'FRL' [F.R.Leyland]
Size: 4 3/8 x 7 1/16" (112 x 180 mm)
Signature: 'J A McN Whistler.' on letter
Inscription: [letter, p. 5: ] '... I think it would be charming to paint May with the hat on, the feather swooping grandly away! - I dont exactly know how - but they will manage it. - [drawing] And now, ... I would offer to inflict myself upon Aubrey House for a week or so, and get at the picture every morning! The habit will be black I suppose - and the hat black felt or grey with white feather and black arrangement - ...'
print

Study for 'Portrait of Miss May Alexander'

Composition

Study for 'Portrait of Miss May Alexander', British Museum
Study for 'Portrait of Miss May Alexander', British Museum
Miss May Alexander, Tate
Miss May Alexander, Tate

This is a preliminary study for Miss May Alexander [YMSM 127]. In his letter, Whistler suggested a choice of suitable dress and recommended buying a hat from Walker & Milton, in preparation for the portrait. 1

Conservation History

The letter was placed in an album.

Notes:

1: Whistler to R. A. Alexander, [September/October 1874], GUW #07583.

Last updated: 23rd February 2021 by Margaret