Technique

r.: A nude model adjusting her hair, The Hunterian

The black outlines are rough, with many corrections. The figure was drawn in shades of yellow ochre and off-white touched with pink. The green ribbon with which she is binding her hair harmonises with the green rubbed in to the sofa.

Underneath is another drawing, a girl seen from the back, in profile left, with left arm outstretched, who wore a pink robe and red cap. There was a chequered pink and brown pattern behind her, like that seen in Vénus Astarté [M.1232].

v.: A woman in a toga, The Hunterian

The drawing on the verso may be by Beatrice Philip (Mrs E. W. Godwin, Mrs J. McN. Whistler) (1857-1896). It was drawn onto the white card on which the brown paper was laid down.

Conservation History

The rubbing out has made a hole in the paper, just at her armpit, and gives a scrubbed appearance to the whole body. The paper has fine fibres and specks of wood-stalk. It may have been a commercially prepared board.