The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

Date

Studies of a woman's head and a cylindrical object probably dates from 1897. It was drawn on the verso of a letter from Philippa Maude Philip (1865-1915) to Whistler on 1 January 1897. ¹

Studies of a woman's head and a cylindrical object, Glasgow University Library

It was catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 1520).

Images

Subject

Sitter

Studies of a woman's head and a cylindrical object, Glasgow University Library

Not identified but probably one of the Birnie Philip sisters.

Technique

Technique

Studies of a woman's head and a cylindrical object, Glasgow University Library

This looks like an exercise in shading and cross-hatching. The technique is not like that of Whistler, although it is just possible it was by him, demonstrating techniques to someone else.

Conservation History

The letter was folded and the note and sketches are sideways on to the letter.

History

Provenance

• 1903: in Whistler's studio at his death in 1903 and bequeathed to his sister-in-law, Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958);
• 1955: given by Miss Birnie Philip to the University of Glasgow.

Exhibitions

It has not been exhibited.

Bibliography

Catalogues Raisonnés

• MacDonald, Margaret F., James McNeill Whistler. Drawings, Pastels and Watercolours. A Catalogue Raisonné, New Haven and London, 1995 (cat. no. 1520) as 'Studies of a woman's head and a cylindrical object'.

Websites

• The Correspondence of James McNeill Whistler, 1855-1903, edited by Margaret F. MacDonald, Patricia de Montfort and Nigel Thorp; including The Correspondence of Anna McNeill Whistler, 1855-1880, edited by Georgia Toutziari. Online edition, University of Glasgow, 2003-2004, GUW #13483.