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

 

Study of a French Girl

Technique


                    Study of a French Girl, The Hunterian
Study of a French Girl, The Hunterian

The canvas is a fine weave, primed a deep grey. An olive green background has been started at the top but not finished. A fur collar is the only suggestion of dress. A rough white line across the bottom of the canvas may be an accident or a sign that Whistler meant to have the canvas reduced in size. The basic modelling of the girl's face has been done boldly, with small blobs of paint not yet smoothed together. The girl's curly auburn hair is tousled and her expression lowering.

Conservation History

Unknown.

Frame


                    Study of a French Girl, The Hunterian
Study of a French Girl, The Hunterian

                    Study of a French Girl, frame detail
Study of a French Girl, frame detail

Whistlerian Flat frame, dating from the 1920s. 1

Notes:

1: Dr S. L. Parkerson Day, Report on frames, 2017; see also Parkerson 2007 [more] .

Last updated: 22nd October 2020 by Margaret