Composition

Study for 'Brown and Gold: Lillie "In our Alley!" ', National Gallery of Canada

Brown and Gold: Lillie 'In our Alley!', Fogg Art Museum

This is a study of Lillie Pamington for Brown and Gold: Lillie 'In our Alley!' [YMSM 464]. The main differences between the two are that in the study the chair is further right on the canvas, the white scarf, or shirt, is not so bright, and the hair is more abundant. Also the background of the study is dark green whereas in the final painting it is reddish brown. Furthermore there are touches of blue on her scarf, in the study, instead of the pinkish white of Brown and Gold: Lillie 'In our Alley!'.

Technique

Study for 'Brown and Gold: Lillie "In our Alley!" ', National Gallery of Canada

The surface of the painting is a bit uneven and the hand holding her hair looks smudged. The outline of her hat has been altered.

Spink commented that areas 'have been wiped to produce a quality of light and texture that Whistler sought.' 1 This was a common part of Whistler's painting process in later years.

Conservation History

Unknown.

Frame

Unknown.