Study of a Girl's Head and Shoulders
In addition to large-scale portraits, James McNeill Whistler created small-scale likenesses, often on wood panel, as in this painting of a young sitter. A well-known beauty, Olga Caracciolo lived in Dieppe, France, likely where this work was executed, and later married the photographer Adolf de Meyer. Rather than a swift, abbreviated study for a larger composition, Whistler considered a work such as this to be a satisfying aesthetic whole. Indeed, small paintings serve as invitations for an intimate viewing experience and contemplation of the artist’s harmonies of color and form.
Credit: Walter S. Brewster Collection
1896/97
Oil on panel
14.8 x 8.9cm
1933.212
Image and text courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago, 2019
Where you'll find this
Art Institute of Chicago
Permanent collection