Detail from The Canal, Amsterdam, 1889, James McNeill Whistler, The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

 

M.0421
Portrait of Walter Greaves

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1871/1875
Collection: Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Accession Number: 31.242
Medium: chalk
Support: brown paper
Size: 10 7/8-11 x 6 3/4" (276-280 x 172 mm)
Signature: none
Inscription: 'Port.Wistler-i-e' or 'Port Waller-a-es' or 'Jack Wistler' in unknown hand; collector's mark 'B. M.' (B. B. MacGeorge)

Portrait of Walter Greaves

Technique

Portrait of Walter Greaves, Rhode Island School Of Design
Portrait of Walter Greaves, Rhode Island School Of Design

The figure and background are roughly shaded with rough areas of hatching. On the face the shading is rubbed and softened. The technique is similar to Whistler's but the effect is a little weak and it is not absolutely certain that this drawing was by Whistler.

The museum website gives the size as 29.2 x 17.1 cm (11 1/2 x 6 11/16 inches).

Last updated: 25th May 2021 by Margaret