Composition

The lion is framed within a chequered edge containing the initials 'R.B.A.' The use of the initials instead of the full name, the addition of a chequered background, and the double line round the edge, complete the design.

As a final stage in the design, Whistler jotted down the position of the rectangle as letterhead, beside the typescript heading 'The Royal Society of/ British Artists-/Suffolk Street. Pall Mall.' on an envelope-format sheet of paper. 1 These minimalist designs have not been catalogued separately.

Technique

The wash is a rusty red, which gives it a lot more life. The lion was probably traced from Crowned lion [M.1135].

Conservation History

The paper is the same as for Crowned lion [M.1135], much browned, with the top irregularly torn, but with the torn section folded over. The grain runs horizontally across the design.