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Arrangement in Black - No.3

James McNeill Whistler

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts a sketch of a woman shown from head to toe, standing in a confident pose. The woman's head is slightly turned to the left, facing forward. She has delicately drawn facial features, short hair framing her face, and is wearing a long black gown with a deep neckline. A light-colored wrap or scarf drapes around her arms and shoulders. She is holding a part of her outfit. There is no visible jewelry. The background has sketchy cross-hatching and lines, creating a textured effect. The sketch is labeled "Arrangement in Black, No 3" beneath the figure.

Artwork Details

Date
1881
Medium
graphite, pen and brown ink on off-white laid paper
Dimensions
3090 × 4776 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette