Technique

It was painted on coarse weave canvas. There are few signs of alterations except to the left of the bust and waist, which have been reduced in size, and her right shoulder, which has been lowered. The butterfly, on the left of the figure, is now practically invisible. Though thinly painted, with soft brushstrokes and extensive rubbing down of layers of paint, merging and blurring the outlines of the figure, it is rich and dark in colour. 1

Conservation History

According to Freer Gallery of Art conservation files, in 1921 the canvas was rotten and the painted surface uneven, so it was relined, but not fully restored. It was cleaned in 1922, 1935, and 1951, and was 'surfaced' in 1935 and 1951. Ben Johnson commented that in 1965 it showed signs of 'disturbing retouches' and the varnish was dirty and discoloured, and it was therefore cleaned and the varnish was partially removed.

Frame

• 1876/1878: the style and whereabouts of the original frame are unknown.
• ca 1910: Portrait Whistler with incised basket weave, American. 2

It has a single panel of basket-weave pattern, between narrow bands with a running irregular design of indented dashes. The styling of the frame and decoration differs greatly from the incised frames used by Whistler, such as the portrait of Mrs Leyland (her frame has a flat reeded outer edge, whereas this one is much more rounded). Also there are incised lines on the reeds and not just on the frieze, which is not a practice seen on other Whistler frames. 3