Technique

Davenport posed at first in a specially selected dull-green suit and later in his ordinary black suit; he had a few sittings every year for several years and the portrait was repeatedly rubbed down.

The sitter remembered:

'Having decided on pose, Whistler made his drawing and began to put on paint ...

When I arrived, Whistler was either making his palette or sandpapering work of previous sitting -

After we had worked a certain time, he would begin putting in a few touches, then his servant would bring in breakfast ... during the breakfasts, it was evident he was studying me all the time. At times he would get up, leave me and go over to the picture - After we had had a short breakfast, we would stay till dark, or as long as we could see -

Some days he seemed to work rapidly and to accomplish a great deal - other days, he seemed perplexed, worried.' 1

Conservation History

n/a

Frame

Whistlerian style, American manufacture. 2 32 x 24 1/4" (81.3 x 61.6 cm).