Composition

A drawing of The Whitesmiths, Impasse des Carmélites c092. 'Rétameur' was written under the drawing, and means a tinker or odd-job man; the published title specifies whitesmiths, who made objects out of metal, which was one of the traditional occupations of tinkers.

Technique

The same pen and purplish ink was used for the drawing as for the letter. The sketch focussed on the central rectangle, omitting the window above the doorway, which does in fact divert attention from the smiths.

Conservation History

The sheet was probably originally a folded sheet, but has been cut in two. It was written on all sides, and started on the bottom half of one sheet, ending with the drawing on the top half of the same sheet.