Titles

Only one title has been suggested:

• 'a portrait of Miss Philip' (1921, Pennell). 1
• 'Portrait of Miss Philip' (1980, YMSM). 2

Description

It was described by the Pennells as 'a portrait of Miss Philip ... a blue gown with dull yellow beads about her neck.' 3 No portrait of this description is known.

Sitter

Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958) , Whistler's youngest sister-in-law, his ward and executrix. She was the model for many portraits, including The Jade Necklace [YMSM 478], Miss Rosalind Birnie Philip Standing [YMSM 479], Portrait of Miss Philip in Black [YMSM 480] and The Black Hat - Miss Rosalind Birnie Philip [YMSM 535]. Lithographs of her include The Medici Collar c170. Dress was an important component in several of these portraits, but none show the colours (blue and yellow) described by the Pennells.

It is possible that in this portrait Whistler wished to return to the 'Blue Girl' theme initiated over 30 years earlier. It is worth noting that several earlier studies in blue were in Whistler's studio at this time, including The Blue Girl: Portrait of Connie Gilchrist [YMSM 207] and Harmony in Blue and Violet: Miss Finch [YMSM 239], which were given by Miss Birnie Philip to the Hunterian.