Artwork
The Draped Figure, Seated
The Draped Figure, Seated is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Draped Figure, Seated is a 1893 lithograph by James Whistler, characterized by a minimalist, contour-based depiction of a seated figure in black ink on laid paper, emphasizing form and simplicity.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on the serene, draped form of a seated individual, with all but the essential outlines and fabric folds omitted, conveying a sense of calm and visual harmony.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the piece showcases Whistler's use of bold, dark lines to define the figure, a deliberate choice that prioritizes composition and restraint over detail, aligning with his Aesthetic Movement ideals.
History & Provenance
Created during Whistler's time as an American expatriate in Britain, this lithograph reflects his broader artistic approach, though it lacks his signature butterfly motif, a common element in his graphic works.
Own this work as a print
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.
Arrangement in Black, No. 3: Sir Henry Irving as Philip II of Spain
Arrangement in Flesh Colour and Black: Portrait of Theodore Duret
Gold and Brown: Self-Portrait
Edward Guthrie Kennedy
Harmony in Yellow and Gold: The Gold Girl—Connie Gilchrist
George W. Vanderbilt
Symphony in White, No. 1: The White Girl
Henry Irving as Philip II of Spain
