Composition

In the letter of 1898 to William Heinemann Whistler wrote: 'I now have in my studio a Phryne ... MacMonnies says he never has seen anything like the Phryne - which I am going to do large - after completing the little one.' 1 There is no record of Whistler ever carrying out his intention of painting a large version of this painting, and indeed he asked Pennell:

'Would she [Phryne] be more superb - more truly the Builder of Temples - had I painted her what is called life-size by the foolish critics who always bring out their foot-rule ? Is it a question of feet and inches when you look at her?' 2

Technique

The composition was drawn first in pencil or crayon on the pale grey underpaint. The lines are visible around the legs, and the structure of the interior and furnishings. Some areas around the edge of the picture are almost bare of paint, but most have been painted over in several layers. The head, for instance, though carefully painted with a small brush, has a dense, over-worked look.

Conservation History

It was repainted so often that the surface paint has suffered considerably in some areas, particularly on and around the figure.

At the Freer Gallery of Art, it was repaired, cleaned and resurface in 1930, and again resurfaced in 1952-1953.

Frame

Grau-style frame dating from ca 1901. 3