Titles

There are only minor variations on the title:

• 'Rose and Brown – La Cigale' (1899, ISSPG). 1
• 'Cigale' (1899, Whistler). 2
• 'Rose et Or – La Cigale' (1901, J. J. Rousseau). 3
• 'Rose and Brown: La Cigale' (1980, YMSM). 4

'Rose and Brown: La Cigale' is the preferred title. The pose, with the model's arms bent sharply beside her head like a grasshopper or cicada's legs, may have suggested the title.

Curry suggested that the title is associated with the burlesque The grasshopper performed at the Gaiety Theatre in 1877, and starring the acrobatic dancer Ellen ('Nellie') Farren (1848-1904) and a character called 'Pygmalion Flippit', 'the artist of the future'; Curry suggested that this painting was 'a gentle homage from one ageing star to another.' 5

Description

A nude study, in vertical format. A girl stands with both hands clasped under her chin, her head bent, facing slightly to left (her right). She has short brown hair cut in a curly fringe. A greyish cap and white cloth or turban half covers her head and there appears to be a cream shawl around her shoulders. A fluffy grey object, possibly a kitten (it may have a tail hanging down), is held in her hands, as if she is kissing it. The floor is brown, the dado behind her a warmer pinkish brown, and the wall above it, beige with grey tones.

Sitter

Unidentified. The girl is very young. On 29 July 1899 Whistler wrote to C. L. Freer, 'I am glad you have the little "Cigale"- she is one of my latest pets - and of a rare type of beauty - the child herself I mean.' 6