Composition

The inscription suggested that the designs at the top were for the house of Frederick Richards Leyland (1832-1892) at 49 Princes Gate. However, the staircase in Leyland's hall started with a flight of about ten steps before curving to right for a further flight; furthermore it was decorated by Whistler with rectangular panels in a different style (see Panels from the Entrance Hall at 49 Princes Gate [YMSM 175]). 1 The Lindsey Row staircase was much less grand, narrow and fairly steep.

The two designs have one feature in common, however. Whistler's rough pencil drawing, Sketch for hallway of 49 Princes Gate [M.0577], shows a large full-length painting on the wall at right (these are discussed in the catalogue entry for that sketch). Two small studies of the same painting appear to right of the staircase in the pen drawing, and several chalk and pastel drawings relate to the composition, including The Japanese Dress [M.1227], which is shown above. 2 The painting has not survived, but these sketches suggest it was still in process in the late 1870s.

The designs on the lower half of the sheet are undoubtedly for walls in Whistler's house in Lindsey Row (Cheyne Walk). According to Whistler's landlord, Sydney Morse (1854-1929), 'The hall had fine panels in blue on white by Whistler, 2 ships with sails set at sea. The house was coloured as "a sunset". The gold dado on the stairs was dotted with pink and white chrysanthemum petals.' 3 The Pennells, quoting Walter Greaves (1846-1930), record that one day when Whistler's mother was at church, he sent for the Greaves brothers and 'painted a great ship with spreading sails in each of the two panels at the end of the hall.' 4