Detail from The Canal, Amsterdam, 1889, James McNeill Whistler, The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

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M.0698
r.: Seated figure; v.: Dragonflies and a butterfly

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1878
Collection: Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
Accession Number: F1905.152a-b
Medium: r.: chalk and pastel; v.: chalk and watercolour
Support: brown wove paper
Size: 10 1/2 x 6 13/16" (267 x 173 mm)
Signature: none
Inscription: none

r.: Seated figure; v.: Dragonflies and a butterfly

Composition

The dragonflies, similar to sketches on Study of Rosettes for Lady's Dress [M.0434] and Chelsea Reach and the dragonfly [M.0708], may relate to a decorative scheme, possibly for William Cleverly Alexander (1840-1916), or a design similar to Harmony in Yellow and Gold: The Butterfly Cabinet [YMSM 195].

Last updated: 9th March 2021 by Margaret