Who painted Maud, Standing?

Maud, Standing was painted by James McNeill Whistler in 1873.

Where can I see Maud, Standing?

Maud, Standing is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Maud, Standing?

Maud, Standing is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Maud, Standing?

Museum-quality prints of Maud, Standing are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Maud, Standing

James McNeill Whistler , 1873

Maud, Standing is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1873 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:Not signed. Not dated. "-No. 4" lower center margin, graphite, unknown hand. "t" [encircled] lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "45943" verso, lower left sheet, graphite, unknown hand. "No 29" verso, center right sheet, graphite, unknown hand.
Markings: Marked:"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink. "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink. (Albert W. Scholle collector's mark) verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 2923a).

About this work

Overview

Created around 1873, Maud, Standing is a print by James McNeill Whistler executed in both etching and drypoint on laid paper. The work presents a solitary female figure seen in profile, her dress flowing and her hair pulled back, while she holds a small object in her right hand. The composition is restrained, emphasizing line and tone rather than story.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays a woman standing sideways, dressed in a long, high‑collared gown. Her posture and the modest gesture suggest a quiet, private moment rather than a narrative episode. Whistler’s intent aligns with his advocacy of “art for art’s sake,” focusing on visual harmony over moral or anecdotal content.

Technique & Style

Whistler combined traditional etching with drypoint, incising the metal plate to produce both deep, velvety shadows and crisp, raised lines. The resulting marks are fine and slightly scratchy, giving the print a textured surface that accentuates the delicate contours of the figure and the subtle tonal gradations characteristic of his mature style.

History & Provenance

Produced during Whistler’s productive period in the United Kingdom, the print reflects his broader engagement with oil and watercolor media. Though specific ownership details are sparse, the work is documented as part of Whistler’s late‑nineteenth‑century output, illustrating his consistent emphasis on refined composition and technical precision.

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Artist & collection

Artist

James McNeill Whistler

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.