Technique

It is on a single section of timber that is about 1 cm thick. The grain runs horizontally across the picture.

The brushstrokes of the pale grey priming are visible through the thin paint. Indeed the grey ground forms part of the colour scheme. It is barely tinted with suggestions of other colours, beige and green in the windows, and brown above. It was also rubbed down by the artist during the process of painting. The figures on the left have been half painted over by the window frame. It is one of the most subtle and delicate of Whistler's house-fronts.

Conservation History

It was cleaned and revarnished by John Bull for Agnew's in 1980, but it is not known if it was retouched at that time. The varnish is a little glossy, with fine craquelure. The wood has warped very slightly but the panel is basically in good condition. 1

Frame

40.0 x 47.6 x 3.1 cm.