Artwork
Draped Figure, Reclining
Draped Figure, Reclining is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Draped Figure, Reclining is a color lithograph on laid paper created by James Abbott McNeill Whistler in 1892. It is a print that exemplifies Whistler's refined composition and delicate handling of form.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a reclining figure wrapped in loose cloth, resting on a pillow and turned towards the viewer, set against a simple background of a plain wall and suggested drapery or foliage.
Technique & Style
The lithograph is characterized by loose lines, smudges, and layered colors, giving it a sketchy appearance. Whistler's use of lithography allowed for a spontaneous and expressive rendering of the subject.
Context
Whistler was a proponent of 'art for art's sake,' rejecting sentimental and moralizing themes in his work, which often explored the subtleties of composition and form.
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Artist & collection
Artist
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (; July 10, 1834 – July 17, 1903) was an American painter in oils and watercolor, and printmaker, active during the American Gilded Age and based primarily in the United Kingdom.
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