Composition

Two less highly finished, but closely related, self-portraits were painted about 1896 in Whistler's Fitzroy Street studio (see Self-Portrait [YMSM 460] and Self-Portrait [YMSM 461], reproduced above).

In a pen and pencil drawing, Portrait of Whistler [M.1533], which Pennell thought was a drawing of Brown and Gold [YMSM 440], Whistler is shown wearing an overcoat, with its collar turned up, over his shoulder. 1 It is not certain if this is a drawing for, or of the oil, or a self-portrait in its own right, since it does not precisely reflect the appearance of Whistler in Gold and Brown [YMSM 462].

Technique

The canvas is approximately the size of the French 'toile de 12' (61 x 46cm) and may have been acquired in Paris.

The canvas is thinly painted, the surface of the background being so thin and soft that it looks as if it has been rubbed down. In fact it was common for Whistler at this time to rub down his paintings extensively as part of the painting process. The canvas is visible in some areas, such as above his left eye. Whistler's intense self-criticism is reflected in the dry, fluttering strokes with which he paints his face and bony hands.

Conservation History

Old photographs show very little change in the painting since 1898.

Frame

Grau-style frame, dating from ca 1896. 2 88.9 x 73.7 x 10.2 cm (35 x 29 x 4").