Draped Figure at a Railing

Object Details

• Artist

  James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)

• Label

  Drawing from a live model, Whistler here explored the drape of filmy gauze on a figure set against a rail. The composition was one of his favorites and reappears in subsequent drawings, paintings, and prints. While the draperies and hip-sprung stance recall ancient classicism, the gesture of the hand held to the face is reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints of courtesans laughing behind their kimono sleeves.

• Provenance

  James Staats Forbes (1823-1904), London [1]

  To 1905

  William Marchant & Co., London, to 1905 [2]

  From 1905 to 1919

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from William Marchant & Co. in 1905 [3]

  From 1920

  Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [4]

  Notes:

  [1] Curatorial Remark 2 in the object record states: "From the Forbes collection.

  See Journal Voucher No. 1, December 1905."

  [2] See Original Whistler List, Drawings, pg. 3, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

  [3] See note 2.

  [4] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Lost Symphony: Whistler & the Perfection of Art (January 16 to May 30, 2016)

  Whistler's Nudes (April 21, 2002 to January 5, 2003)

  Whistler & Japan (May 14, 1995 to January 1, 1996)

  James McNeill Whistler at the Freer Gallery of Art: Whistler as Artist (May 11, 1984 to December 5, 1984)

  Untitled Exhibition, Works of Whistler (September 22, 1947 to April 11, 1955)

  Whistler Pastels and Drawings, Re-arranged and some additions (January 7, 1924 to January 20, 1944)

  American Paintings, Pastels, and Water Colors, and Drawings. J.A.McN. Whistler (May 2, 1923 to January 7, 1924)

• Previous custodian or owner

  James Staats Forbes (1823-1904)

  William Marchant & Co. (flourished 1907-1925) (C.L. Freer source)

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

• Origin

  United States

• Credit Line

  Gift of Charles Lang Freer

• Type

  Drawing

• Restrictions and Rights

  CC0 - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0)

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1860s, 1870s

• Name

  Freer, Charles Lang, Forbes, James Staats, William Marchant & Co.

• Place

  United States

• Topic

  Charles Lang Freer collection, Art, American Art, Woman

• Culture

  Americans

• Object Type

  Drawings