Composition

r.: Study for the Tall Flower; v.: Design for a Wall Decoration [M.1089] and Blue and Silver: Forget-me-not [M.1090] are closely connected although it is by no means clear if one is a study for the other.

The Freer Gallery of Art label, quoted on the website asserts:

'Although titled Study, there is no evidence that Whistler painted a more finished version of this figure titled The Tall Flower. The verso of this sketch is decorative floral design for a wall that seems to be divided into three sections and illustrates Whistler's interest in Rococo revival interior design.' 1

Technique

See technical details in Whistler in Watercolour, Freer|Sackler, Washington, 2019, website.