Detail from The Canal, Amsterdam, 1889, James McNeill Whistler, The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

 

M.1364
Two breton women knitting

Artist: James McNeill Whistler
Date: 1893
Collection: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow
Accession Number: GLAHA 46177
Medium: watercolour
Support: cream paper laid down on card with stamp of 'E. MARY & FILS/ 26, RUE CHAPTAL, PARIS' on verso
Size: 8 9/16 x 5" (218 x 128 mm)
Signature: none
Inscription: none

Two breton women knitting

Titles

The title "Peasant Women knitting" was written on the verso by Harold Wright (1885-1961), possibly at Miss Birnie Philip's suggestion.

Site

Brittany, France.

Sitter

Two breton women knitting, The Hunterian
Two breton women knitting, The Hunterian

The women's dress is simple : a black blouse with slightly gathered sleeves, and a pale blue skirt or apron over a grey underskirt. The close fitting black bonnets, which appear to be decorated with ribbons, are not necessarily specific to Brittany.

Last updated: 10th December 2020 by Margaret