Artwork preview

Gretchen at Heidelberg

James McNeill Whistler

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a portrait of a seated woman. She is positioned with her body facing slightly toward the left. Her right hand rests on her cheek, and her left arm is stretched across her body, holding a palette with brushes. She has a contemplative expression with smooth, youthful features, and her hair is pulled back. She is dressed in a long-sleeved gown with a full apron, and a bow fastened at her neckline. There are no visible pieces of jewelry. The background shows an interior with a window behind her on the left side and books stacked on a shelf.

Artwork Details

Date
1858
Medium
etching in dark brown on green/grey laid paper
Dimensions
3287 × 4401 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original