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

 

Harmony in Opal and Violet

Description

Frederick Wedmore (1844-1921), writing in the Academy, praised Whistler's two upright pastels of lightly draped models. 1 Most critics appeared to think the pastels were figure studies although the Echo on 2 December 1885 mentioned two pastel 'seaside' sketches.

It is also possible that Harmony in Opal and Violet should be identified with Harmony in Blue and Violet [M.1076] or a 'seaside' subject, now known as Annabel Lee [M.1077].

Notes:

1: Wedmore, Frederick, 'The Society of British Artists', Academy, vol. 28, 19 December 1885, p. 417.

Last updated: 27th February 2021 by Margaret