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

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M.0868
Mrs or Miss McNay

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1882
Collection: National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
Accession Number: 1943.3.8804
Medium: pen and brown ink
Support: beige wove paper, f.s.
Size: 8 13/16 x 6 15/16" (224 x 177 mm)
Signature: butterfly
Inscription: v.: 'Sketch by J. McNeil Whistler at / Mrs. McNay's, Upper Grove, S. Norwood / 14 March 1882', '958639' and '00 / 3543', in unknown hands; collector's marks 'HNH' (S. H. N.Harrington; Lugt 1348) and 'LJR' (L. J. Rosenwald)

Mrs or Miss McNay

Sitter

Mrs or Miss McNay, National Gallery of Art, DC
Mrs or Miss McNay, National Gallery of Art, DC

The drawing may show Mary Isabella Cooke (Mrs T. F. McNay) (m. 1865) , wife of Thomas Fothergill McNay (1836-1907). It is possible, but less likely, that it shows Eleanor ('Nora') Ruth McNay (1868-1886) who died prematurely on 30 January 1886.

Last updated: 16th February 2021 by Margaret