1878
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Toilet is a 1878 by James McNeill Whistler, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a woman in a long, flowing dress sitting on a chair. She’s bent forward, holding a piece of paper or cloth in her hands. The background is simple, with just a hint of a room behind her. The lines are soft and smudged, giving it a sketchy, unfinished look. The artist used a technique called *lithotint*, which lets the ink blend smoothly for a soft, shadowy effect. This makes the whole scene feel quiet and a little mysterious. Next, check out National Gallery of Art, Washington to see more works like this in person.
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
