Composition

There is an oil study for this portrait, Study for 'Brown and Gold: Lillie "In our Alley!" ' [YMSM 463]. The main differences between the two are that in the study the chair is further right on the canvas, the white scarf, or shirt, is not so bright, and the hair is more abundant. Also the background of the study is dark green whereas in the final painting it is a dark reddish brown. Furthermore there are touches of blue on her scarf, in the study, instead of the pinkish white of Brown and Gold: Lillie 'In our Alley!'.

Technique

It is painted thinly and directly, with quite broad brush strokes on a fairly fine weave canvas, with no pentimenti. Touches of pink are used to add warmth to the shadows of her nostrils and ears and lips.

When Cowan told Whistler it had been criticized by an art dealer for being dark, he replied:

You are told that your little "Lillie, in our Alley" is ugly! or dirty etc … It is a beauty - But by and bye [sic] they will come want to do business with you and it!! -

But you shall have better directly and the Lilly I will take back in lieu of anything prettier you may prefer.' 1

Conservation History

Unknown.

Frame

ca 1930: framed by M. Grieve in America, in a Grau-style frame. 2