James McNeill Whistler (Lowell, Massachusetts, 1834 - 1903, London, England)
The Violet Note, 1885-1886
Chalk and pastel on brown paper, 26 x 18 cm (10 1/4 x 7 1/16 in.)
A female figure is at the center of this chalk and pastel work on brown paper. This light skinned woman has light brown curly hair that peeks out of the blue kerchief on her head. She wears a blue short-sleeved gauzy long robe that drapes about her feet. She is seen in profile and is bent over and appears to be removing a multi-colored garment from an open chest that is on the floor at her feet. There are several colorful garments in the chest and a dusty rose piece is spilling onto the floor to our left. There are light blue and tan curtains draped on the wall behind her. The butterfly signature of James McNeill Whistler, the artist, and some red flowers are visible on the floor behind her.
Veronese Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner bought this small pastel from James McNeil Whistler when she sat for her portrait, The Little Note in Yellow and Gold. The fan held by the woman in the image is the same fan seen in the artist’s pastel Lapis Lazuli, which hangs directly beside it. This work’s title follows Whistler’s convention of naming his artworks using the language of music, such as “notes,” symphonies,” and “nocturnes.” His distinctive butterfly-shaped signature can be seen on the lower right, against the curtain.