The Velvet Dress
1873
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1873
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Velvet Dress is a 1873 ink by James McNeill Whistler, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
The painting depicts a woman in a long, flowing dress with a high collar and long sleeves. Her dark hair is pulled back, and she stands in front of a curtain or drapery. The woman's body is turned to the left, but her head is turned to the right, looking over her shoulder. The background is a muted color, with vertical lines suggesting the texture of the curtain. A small, circular object is visible on the floor to the left of the woman. It appears to be a hat or a basket, but its exact nature is unclear. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume in the painting. To learn more about this technique, explore the work of Whistler, James McNeill.
