Sketches of a Girl and a Woman |  Freer Gallery of Art (1903.255) | |
| Number: | 153 | |
| Date: | 1875/1876 | |
| Medium: | drypoint | |
| Size: | 178 x 133 mm | |
| Signed: | no | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | no | |
| No. of States: | 1 | |
| Known impressions: | 2 | |
| Catalogues: | K.122; M.128; W.108 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (2) | ||
KEYWORD
girl, head, portrait, reading, woman.
TITLE
Whistler's original title is not known. There are two recorded titles, as follows:
'Two Sketches' (1886, Frederick Wedmore (1844-1921)). 1
'Sketches of Girl and Woman' (1909, Howard Mansfield (1849-1938)). 2
The preferred title, 'Sketches of a Girl and a Woman', is based on Mansfield's title, 'Sketches of Girl and Woman', which is considerably more helpful than that used by Wedmore, which could have covered any subject whatsoever.
'Two Sketches' (1886, Frederick Wedmore (1844-1921)). 1
'Sketches of Girl and Woman' (1909, Howard Mansfield (1849-1938)). 2
The preferred title, 'Sketches of a Girl and a Woman', is based on Mansfield's title, 'Sketches of Girl and Woman', which is considerably more helpful than that used by Wedmore, which could have covered any subject whatsoever.
DESCRIPTION
Near the upper left corner is a seated girl, in profile to right, leaning against a cushion that projects above her head. Her head is bent slightly forward as if she was reading a book. In the lower part of the plate is a slight half-length sketch of a woman, the other way up.
SITTER
Not identified. The child is the same girl seen in Sleeping Girl 127. The children of William Cleverly Alexander (1840-1916), particularly Cicely Henrietta Alexander (1864-1932), could have been available to pose. By this date it is less likely that the Leyland girls, such as Elinor Leyland (1861-1952) were available.
DISCUSSION
Whistler sometimes used a copper plate as he might do a sketchbook, for several studies; see, for instance, Portrait sketches including F.R. Leyland and Whistler 122, Sketches of Heads 138.