Technique

Portrait of Ellen Sturgis Hooper, Private collection

Whistler having said that he intended to 'put on a few touches' in 1891, it was described as 'unfinished' in 1905 and later by the sitter, but it is no more unfinished than a lot of Whistler's late portraits, such as Portrait of Miss Lilian Woakes [YMSM 393].

It is painted very fluidly with small brushes, 3 mm (1/8") on the head, and 5 mm (3/16") on the skirt. Because it was not varnished until a considerable time after being painted, the paint sank in and the original light colours became more sultry.

Conservation History

Portrait of Ellen Sturgis Hooper, photograph, 1980

Portrait of Ellen Sturgis Hooper, Private collection

Unknown. Andrew McLaren Young (1913-1975) commented when he saw it about 1975 that it was very dirty, with discoloured varnish. There are still traces of old varnish, minor abrasions, repairs and retouching. It is, however, very dark.

Frame

Portrait of Ellen Sturgis Hooper, detail of photograph, 1904

Portrait of Ellen Sturgis Hooper, frame

The frame is not the original; it was imitated by the Leicester Galleries; however, the original backboard bears labels confirming ownership and exhibitions. 1