Site

The German town of Heidelberg, situated by the River Neckar, is the site of an ancient and famous University.

Sitter

La Courtisane des Étudiants, Heidelberg, photograph, Pennell Collection, Library of Congress

The word courtesan suggests that the woman is a prostitute with wealthy clients, not usually students. The young woman appears well but not over-dressed, and perfectly respectable except that the young man has his arm round her. She may have been a girl-friend, barmaid or other maid-servant, or indeed, as the inscription suggests, a prostitute. It was an odd drawing for Whistler to give to his young niece, or indeed, any of the Hadens.