Composition

The pencil outlines, to the right of the breakwater by the sea and to the right of the white house itself, show that Whistler first drew the whole scene further to the right.

Technique

It was painted over a pencil sketch, with thin paint of a creamy consistency, in fluid brushstrokes. The fine detail of the ships and cottages was painted precisely with a fine-pointed sable brush.

Conservation History

Freer Gallery records show that the varnish was removed in 1921, and spots in the sky arising from earlier damage, possibly when the picture was painted, were touched up with paint. In 1937, it was cleaned and varnished, and in the following year, resurfaced and cradled. It was again resurfaced in 1952-1953.

Frame

Replica Dowdeswell frame, made in American, 2004. 1