Technique

A label on the stretcher written by Whistler's sister-in-law Miss R. Birnie Philip's reads 'Inachevé' (unfinished). However, there is no specific suggestion that Brun et or: De race [YMSM 511], The Boy in a Cloak [YMSM 512] and Vert et or: Le Raconteur [YMSM 513] were considered incomplete by Whistler. A. J. Eddy considered them 'superb bits of portraiture', which 'had just been finished.' 1

It is, however, rather dark, thinly painted, and rubbed as part of the painting process, particularly around her mouth.

Conservation History

It was relined in 1922, resurfaced in 1933, 'cleaned and surfaced' in 1951. 2

Frame

A Grau-style frame, dating from the 1890s. 3