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

 

M.0503
Design for a dress for Miss Cicely H. Alexander

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1872
Collection: British Museum, London
Accession Number: 1958-2-8-34
Medium: pen and dark brown ink
Support: off-white laid paper, watermark 'J ALLEN & SON / SUPER FINE', p. 2
Size: 7 3/8 x 9" (188 x 229 mm)
Signature: none
Inscription: letter from A. M. Whistler, p. 2: '... The dress might have frills on the skirts and about it - and a fine little ruffle for the neck - or else lace - [drawing] Also it might be looped up from time to time with bows of pale yellow ribbon - ...'

Design for a dress for Miss Cicely H. Alexander

Sitter

Design for a dress for Miss Cicely H. Alexander, British Museum
Design for a dress for Miss Cicely H. Alexander, British Museum

The dress was designed for Cicely Henrietta Alexander (1864-1932) though she was obviously not sitting for this sketch. The design of the dress is discussed in the letter. 1

Notes:

1: A. M. Whistler, with additions by Whistler, to R. A. Alexander, 26 August [1872], GUW #07571.

Last updated: 15th February 2021 by Margaret