Composition

Sketch for a Portrait of Miss Ethel Philip, The Hunterian

Red and Black: The Fan, The Hunterian

It has been suggested that this could be a study for Red and Black: The Fan [YMSM 388]. 1 There are similarities in the pose and tall hat, although the dress is different in shape and colour in the larger full-length portrait.

Technique

Sketch for a Portrait of Miss Ethel Philip, The Hunterian

It is on a fine weave slubby canvas, possibly hand-woven, which may have been acquired in France. It was thinly primed in mid-grey, which forms part of the background. It was probably Whistler’s own mixture, and consists of lead white with bone black, yellow ochre, vermilion, red ochre and probably cobalt blue. Though the paint is thin, it is thick enough to conceal any underdrawing. Judging by its surface appearance, the paint may include Whistler’s ‘sauce’; it was not thinned much. 2

It shows extensive signs of reworking. The model's bustle originally extended further left, and her head and hat were higher. Her mouth was partly rubbed out and can still be seen in two positions. The rest of her face was painted in detail with fluid strokes of a small brush. The dress is a dense black but the outlines are soft and blurred. Likewise the background is very thinly painted with indistinct, soft and rubbed down brushstrokes.

Conservation History

It was wax-lined by Harry Woolford in 1971 onto a medium-weight, closely-woven tabby-weave canvas. There was some paint loss, since restored, at the lower right corner. It has a slightly uneven finish and some small scratches or spots of paint loss, with minor retouching in these areas, but it is in sound condition. 3

Frame

59.2 x 39.4 x 3.6 cm.