Titles

Several possible titles have been suggested:

• 'Portrait de fillette' (n.d., anon.). 1
• 'the little London waif - The London sparrow' (1897, Whistler). 2
• 'L'Enfant du Gin' (1902, G. W. Vanderbilt). 3
• 'Little London Sparrow' (1902, R. B. Philip). 4
• 'The Little London Sparrow' (1905, Œuvres de James McNeill Whistler, Paris). 5
• 'The Little London Sparrow' (1980, YMSM). 6

In 1902 Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919) visited Whistler's studio and apparently discussed the titles with Whistler: 'Its title now is "The Sparrow" formerly it was called "The Gin Girl" and at times "The Juniper Bud".' 7 Freer may have misunderstood one of the titles, for another portrait has been identified as Little Juniper Bud - Lizzie Willis [YMSM 475].

'The Little London Sparrow' is the preferred title.

Description

A half-length portrait of a girl, in vertical format. She wears a light-coloured pinafore. Her hair is dark and curly, and she looks directly at the viewer.

Sitter

'Lizzie' was Elizabeth Willis (fl. 1890/1900) .

It is just possible she was Elizabeth M. Willis, recorded in the 1901 UK census as the eight year old daughter of Thomas J. Willis, frame maker, and Mary A. Willis. However, this seems a little too young.

In 1902 Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919) visited Whistler's studio and described this portrait:

'Painting of Lizzie an eight year old child whose parents formerly occupied the house at 8 Fitzroy St. The painting was begun some time ago before the mother of 'Little Sophie' took 8 Fitzroy St. It was finished and sent to V[anderbilt] this year (1902) Its title now is "The Sparrow" formerly it was called "The Gin Girl" and at times "The Juniper Bud" - The father & mother were both dissipated.' 8

In fact another portrait of Lizzie was entitled Little Juniper Bud - Lizzie Willis [YMSM 475].