Group of three standing figures
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1898.191
Tags
American ArtCharles Lang Freer collectionUnited Statesmanwoman
About this artwork
The very sketchy nature of these figures, along with their casual pose, suggests that they were drawn from life. Moreover, Whistler has not gone over the soft lines with harder, more detailed strokes, so he seems not to have reworked this drawing in his studio. The elaborate headpiece worn by the woman at the left must be made of lace. Such headpieces distinguished different provincial regions of France, and we may speculate that Whistler encountered his subjects during his summer travels in 185...