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Jo's Bent Head

James McNeill Whistler

1861

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Jo's Bent Head is a 1861 ink by James McNeill Whistler, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: James McNeill Whistler
When & what style?: 1861 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a woman's head bent forward, her long hair cascading down her back. Her face is tilted downward, with her chin almost touching her chest. The image is rendered in simple lines, with minimal shading or detail. The woman's features are not clearly defined, and her expression is difficult to discern. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, as if the subject is lost in thought. The sketch is a beautiful example of Whistler's ability to capture the subtleties of human emotion. If you're interested in learning more about the artist's use of light and shadow, check out the technique of chiaroscuro.

About the artist

Artist

James McNeill Whistler

James Abbott McNeill Whistler was an American painter in oils and watercolor, and printmaker, active during the American Gilded Age and based primarily in the United Kingdom.

See the richer artist page