The Violet Note
artist
James McNeill Whistler
(American, 1834 - 1903)
Date1885-1886
Place MadeUnited States, North America
MediumChalk and pastel on brown paper
Dimensions26 x 18 cm (10 1/4 x 7 1/16 in.)
ClassificationsDrawings
Credit LineIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Accession numberP25e5
Status
Not on viewWeb CommentaryIsabella Stewart Gardner bought this small pastel from James McNeil Whistler when she sat for her portrait, The Little Note in Yellow and Gold. The fan held by the woman in the image is the same fan seen in the artist’s pastel Lapis Lazuli, which hangs directly beside it. This work’s title follows Whistler’s convention of naming his artworks using the language of music, such as “notes,” symphonies,” and “nocturnes.” His distinctive butterfly-shaped signature can be seen on the lower right, against the curtain.
Id719622
Last Updated10/31/24
EmbARK ObjectID12135
Source ID1276
Object/Provenance
