Sketch for Rose and Silver: La Princesse du Pays de la Porcelaine

Artist James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903)

Date1863–1864

Mediumoil on hardboard

Dimensionspanel: 61.3 × 35.1 cm (24 1/8 × 13 13/16 in.)
framed: 80.6 × 53.3 × 5.1 cm (31 3/4 × 21 × 2 in.)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineTheodore T. and Mary G. Ellis Collection

Terms

Object number1940.56

Label TextThis small panel by Whistler demonstrates his interest in Japanese fine and decorative arts. Whistler was among the first Western artists to incorporate ideas from Japanese prints into his paintings. Whistler's choice of pose was likely influenced by the forms of women in the series known as The Twelve Hours of the Green Houses, by 18th-century painter and printmaker Kitagawa Utamaro. This sketch was developed into a larger-than-life version in Whistler's grandest statement of Japonisme, a gilt and painted room designed for the London home of art collector Frederick Leyland. This room, known as Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room, is now installed in the Freer Gallery in Washington, D.C.Provenanceprobably the picture which belonged to C.A. Howell and included in his posthumous sale, Christie's, November 15, 1890 (lot 433); then sold by Dowdeswell & Dowdeswell, London, 1891 to Van Wisselingh (dealer); then sold to Professor Fred Brown, 1893; then to Carroll Thompson (connoisseur); then sold to Agnew & Son, London,; then passed to Alexander Young, London, 1899; the sold to Boussod, Valadon & Co.; then, at somepoint, acquired by Howard Young Galleries, NY, 1919; then sold to an unidentified private collector, New York; activity unknown [1919-1933]; then purchased by Theodore T. Ellis in 1933, Worcester MA; then bequeathed to the Worcester Art Museum, 1940.

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