Composition

Sketch of 'The Novel – Study of a girl reading', Freer Gallery of Art

The Novel – Girl Reading', lithograph, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

This is a drawing of the lithograph, The Novel: Girl Reading c032, which was originally drawn in 1890 and reprinted by Way, as requested, in 1893. The relevant section of the letter reads:

'... I had several destroyed - Now among them did I destroy a little draped figure of a girl standing reading a letter? I rather hope not - for I have a proof that I now think well of! -

Do you remember? Something like this - I have not the drawing by me - [sketch] If you have the stone, I wish you would print me a dozen proofs.' 1

Technique

In the letter there is a detailed drawing for identification purposes, drawn with broken, short and flowing lines. There is also a tiny figure on the last side of the letter, to show where Way was to put the straight and where the ragged side of the paper when printing.