Composition

This self-portrait is more highly finished than another related study Self-Portrait [YMSM 460].

A third self-portrait, Gold and Brown [YMSM 462], was worked on in Paris early in 1898, and Whistler could have been working on both, or all three, at that time.

Technique

It is very thinly painted on very fine close weave tabby canvas. Thin grey underpaint is visible at the lower edge of the canvas and there are signs of alterations at the neck of the jacket. The left side of the face is deeply shadowed and appears to be in the process of being scraped down and changed (which was often part of the artist's practise), although the rest of the head is outlined clearly.

Conservation History

The canvas has not been lined and is in good sound condition though it is rather brittle and abraded at the edges. 1

Frame

Grau-style frame, daring from the late 1890s. 2 Size: 82.4 x 62.8 x 7.2 cm.

A stamp on the verso of the stretcher reads 'Maison CHAPUIS / BRISSON Freres, Neveux Successeurs / 20 quai de la Magisserie / 2. Rue des Bourdonnais 2'. This suggests a date of 1899 or later, and may relate to work done for Whistler or for Rosalind Birnie Philip after his death. 3