Sketches of Heads |  Freer Gallery of Art (1893.83) | |
| Number: | 138 | |
| Date: | 1875 | |
| Medium: | drypoint | |
| Size: | 155 x 230 mm | |
| Signed: | no | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | 'Cancelled Plates', 1879 | |
| No. of States: | 1 | |
| Known impressions: | 18 | |
| Catalogues: | K.104; M.101 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (18) | ||
KEYWORD
child, head, knitting, man, portrait, woman.
TITLE
Whistler's title is not known. The recorded titles are rather vague and minimal:
'Sketch of Heads' (1904, Grolier Club). 3
'Sketches of Heads' (1909, Howard Mansfield (1849-1938)). 4
'Sketch of Heads' (1910, Edward Guthrie Kennedy (1849-1932)). 5
'Twelve Sketches of Heads' (1905, ISSPG.) 6
If the identity of the models could be established, a more precise title would be preferable. Meanwhile Mansfield's title 'Sketches of Heads' is marginally more accurate than other suggested titles.
'Sketch of Heads' (1904, Grolier Club). 3
'Sketches of Heads' (1909, Howard Mansfield (1849-1938)). 4
'Sketch of Heads' (1910, Edward Guthrie Kennedy (1849-1932)). 5
'Twelve Sketches of Heads' (1905, ISSPG.) 6
If the identity of the models could be established, a more precise title would be preferable. Meanwhile Mansfield's title 'Sketches of Heads' is marginally more accurate than other suggested titles.
3: New York 1904a (cat. no. 122).
4: Mansfield 1909[more] (cat. no. 101).
5: Kennedy 1910[more] (cat. no. 104).
6: London Mem. 1905 (cat. no. 366).
DESCRIPTION
Along one side are three heads of women. The central figure has her hair arranged in a broad bun, with a fringe over her forehead, and her head is bowed over some sewing or knitting. To their right is a more finished study of a young boy or girl with short hair, facing left. On the opposite side, the other way up, are rough sketches of five heads, including a second study of the woman knitting, and possibly two more studies of her (distinguished by her hair style).
SITTER
The children are probably the family of Frederick Richards Leyland (1832-1892) and Frances Leyland (1834-1910), possibly including Elinor Leyland (1861-1952). A similar head is seen in drawings such as Elinor Leyland m0511, Baby Leyland m0512 and Elinor Leyland m0514. The woman may be Frances Leyland or Elizabeth Dawson (b. 1840).
However, another possibility is that these are studies done in London, of, for instance, Alice Fay Greaves (b. 1852).
DISCUSSION
Whistler used the copper plate as he would a sketchbook, for unrelated sketches. A similar group of sketches is seen in Portrait sketches including F.R. Leyland and Whistler 122.