Composition

Whistler, or possibly Beatrice Philip (Mrs E. W. Godwin, Mrs J. McN. Whistler) (1857-1896), designed the monogram for the family of Miltiades Basil Manuel (1841-1907), and possibly specifically for his wife Sophia (Eustratius) Ionides (Mrs M. B. Manuel) (1853-1905). She was the sister of Whistler's sister-in-law, Helen ('Nellie') Euphrosyne Whistler (1849-1917).

Their son, Stephen Manuel (1880-1954), had posed for Arrangement in Grey: Portrait of Master Stephen Manuel [YMSM 321]. The Manuels lived at No. 2, Marlborough Gate and their headed notepaper bore what appears to be the completed monogram developed from Whistler's designs, the letters 'SM' on a broadly elliptical field. 1 The final design used more continuous curves, and was less angular than those seen in the drawing.

Technique

Some of the designs are single outlines, and some designs have multiple outlines. The designs could have been made James Whistler or by his wife, Beatrice Philip (Mrs E. W. Godwin, Mrs J. McN. Whistler) (1857-1896), who is known to have designed jewellery.

Conservation History

The drawings appear to have been done while the paper was still folded around a copperplate, and was 180 x 130 mm as folded. The paper was shiny inside, to protect the plate. It is now soiled and discoloured.