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The Desk |  British Museum (1907-04-08-2) | |
| Number: | 129 | |
| Date: | 1874/1876 | |
| Medium: | drypoint | |
| Size: | 216 x 139 mm | |
| Signed: | no | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | no | |
| No. of States: | 5 | |
| Known impressions: | 6 | |
| Catalogues: | K.133; M.131; W.104 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (6) | ||
KEYWORD
dress, fashion, model, portrait, woman seated.
TITLE
It has always been known by the same title, as in the following examples:
'The desk' (1880s, possibly by Whistler). 1
'The Desk' (1886, Frederick Wedmore (1844-1921)). 2
'The Desk' (1903/1935, possibly Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958)). 3
'The desk' (1880s, possibly by Whistler). 1
'The Desk' (1886, Frederick Wedmore (1844-1921)). 2
'The Desk' (1903/1935, possibly Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958)). 3
1: Written on 
2: Wedmore 1886 A (cat. no. 104).
3: Envelope containing plate, University of Glasgow.
DESCRIPTION
A young woman, body turned to the left, faces front, her left arm hanging by her side, and her right arm resting upon a desk. She is wearing a dark, close fitting dress, with slightly puffed sleeves, the low neck showing a high-necked white blouse with a small ruffle or narrow trim at the neck. She has her hair drawn back, and cut in a fringe over her forehead. There is shading in the background.
SITTER
Possibly Maud Franklin (1857- ca 1941). The model's appearance changes considerably between the first and third state, so Whistler may have used two models.