The Model Lying Down |  Freer Gallery of Art (1909.115) | |
| Number: | 110 | |
| Date: | 1873/1874 | |
| Medium: | drypoint | |
| Size: | 188 x 277 mm | |
| Signed: | no | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | no | |
| No. of States: | 1 | |
| Known impressions: | 1 | |
| Catalogues: | K.121; M.120; W.107 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (1) | ||
The Model Lying Down probably dates from between 1873 and 1874. The Model Lying Down is grouped by both Mansfield and Kennedy with prints from the period 1873-1875. 1
It is a similar composition to a drypoint that is dated, confusingly, '1861' on the copper plate, but the date probably came from an earlier etching on the same plate (Nude woman reclining [92]). It is unlikely to date from that early. Among Whistler's etchings and drypoints of 1861 few are like The Model Lying Down in technique although it shares some minor characteristics with The Open Book [89] and Brushing the Hair [94], both dating from the early 1860s.
It is a similar composition to a drypoint that is dated, confusingly, '1861' on the copper plate, but the date probably came from an earlier etching on the same plate (Nude woman reclining [92]). It is unlikely to date from that early. Among Whistler's etchings and drypoints of 1861 few are like The Model Lying Down in technique although it shares some minor characteristics with The Open Book [89] and Brushing the Hair [94], both dating from the early 1860s.
1: Kennedy 1910 (cat. no. 121); Kennedy 1910 (cat. no. 121).
The combination of semi-classical dress and decorated fans could link it with studies for the watercolour In the Studio [m0324] of 1865, the oil Tanagra [y092] of ca 1869, and the 'Six Projects' of the late 1860s and early 1870s. The robes also link it to several drawings such as The Purple Iris [m0397] of 1871/1872, a study of a standing draped figure. The setting is comparable to scenes in Whistler's studio dating from 1870s, such as Study for 'Harmony in Grey and Peach Colour' [m0469] and Study in Grey and Pink [m0470]. Furthermore the subject and technique link it to studies such as Draped Model [109], which is dated 1873/1874.