Technique

It is painted on a plain, tightly woven, tabby weave canvas. It may have been primed in grey. The thin paint was rubbed down by the artist on Carmen's hair, and on the pale green background. It is not finished, in that her arm is merely outlined in brown paint.

Conservation History

The varnish is uneven; some areas, such as the face, are more thickly varnished. However, the painting is structurally sound. 1

Frame

Oval, 65.3 x 52.7 x 3.2 cm; stamp of 'MAISON CHAPUIS' on stretcher. Claude Chapuis (1829-1908) was making frames for two oval portraits for Whistler in October 1898. 2 The stretcher bears the label of 'CHAPMAN BROS./ (CHELSEA) LTD./ Picture Restorers/ Carvers, Gilders etc./341 Kings Rd. Chelsea/ No. 1878', which must date from after 1908. 3