Nelly
James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)
1867-1870
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1898.159
Tags
American ArtCharles Lang Freer collectionUnited Statesportraitwoman
About this artwork
This picture of Nelly Ionides smoking is noticeably more lifelike than Whistler's earlier image of her. Although Whistler stylized his sitter less, he related her general pose to other drawings. Fascinated with beautiful women languidly posed in armchairs, Whistler continued to create such images throughout his career. In 1863 Whistler etched "Weary," (see K.92: F1889.28, F1898.329, F1905.164) a portrait of his mistress Jo Hiffernan, which is similar in appearance to his treatment of Nelly, part...