Gipsy Baby

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

In the image, a sketch shows parts of two figures. The body of the seated figure, likely a child, is almost fully visible and positioned facing the viewer while sitting. The child's facial features include large eyes, and their hair is curly, framing their face. The second figure appears behind the child, cropping at the chest, and is angled slightly to the side. This figure seems to be wearing a wide-brimmed hat, which partially obscures their face, making specific features indistinct. Both figures are drawn with loose, expressive lines that suggest clothing comprising flowing garments or dresses. The illustration is devoid of elaborate details or color, using simple line work set against a plain background of aged paper.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (trimmed to plate): 9.9 × 6.5 cm (3 7/8 × 2 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8618

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 373, only state


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Knoedler & Co., New York). Bought October 29, 1928 by Lessing Julius Rosenwald [1891-1971], Philadelphia, (Lugt 1760b); gift to National Gallery of Art, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1931

  • Etchings, Lithographs, Original Drawings, and Autograph Letters by James A. McNeill Whistler, The Free Library of Philadelphia, 1931.

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 339.

2012

  • MacDonald, Margaret F., Grischka Petri, Joanna Meacock.James McNeill Whistler: The Etchings, a catalogue raisonné. University of Glasgow on-line website at http://etchings.arts.gla.ac.uk. University of Glasgow, 2012, no. 373, only state.

Inscriptions

on plate: (butterfly); on tab: (butterfly) imp; on verso: MK 30681; an erased 'a' number

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q65022034

You may be interested in

Loading Results