1872
pastel
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Nude Leaning on a Rail [recto] is a 1872 pastel by James McNeill Whistler, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a nude figure leaning on a rail. The figure is drawn in profile, facing to the right. The artist has used chalk and pastel to create a soft, delicate image. The figure is depicted in a relaxed pose, with their weight shifted onto one leg. The rail they are leaning on is not fully visible, but it appears to be a simple, straight bar. The background of the drawing is a warm, brown color, which helps to create a sense of intimacy and quiet contemplation. The use of pastel in this drawing gives it a soft, dreamy quality. To learn more about this technique, look up the term "pastel" to explore its history and applications in art.
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.
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