Sketch of Mrs. Godwin's Portrait when hung at the Society of British Artists

James McNeill Whistler

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a room with a curtained area and faint outlines of furniture. The drawing is a delicate sketch composed mostly of light pencil strokes on a plain background. The lines suggest the presence of a curtained window or opening on the right side, and what appears to be a framed picture hanging on a wall. The drawing has a minimalist approach, with very few details accentuated, giving it a sense of openness and airiness. The inclusion of drapery adds a soft element to the overall structure.