Artwork

A Child on a Couch, No. 2

A Child on a Couch, No. 2, by James McNeill Whistler, 1874
A Child on a Couch, No. 2, by James McNeill Whistler, 1874

A Child on a Couch, No. 2 is a print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. A Child on a Couch, No.

About this work

The couch looks soft, and the child’s body is relaxed, but the drawing isn’t detailed—just rough shapes and strokes.

This sketch shows a child curled up on a couch, wrapped in a blanket. The lines are loose and quick, almost like scribbles. The couch looks soft, and the child’s body is relaxed, but the drawing isn’t detailed—just rough shapes and strokes.

The artist left some tiny orange spots on the page, maybe for color notes. The paper looks old, with faint marks and smudges.

This is one of Whistler’s early studies—check out James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903) to see how he worked.

Overview

A Child on a Couch, No. 2 is a print by James McNeill Whistler, created in 1874. It is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a child wrapped in a blanket, curled up on a couch. The relaxed pose and soft rendering of the couch convey a sense of comfort and tranquility.

Technique & Style

The work is characterized by loose, rapid lines and rough shapes, giving it a spontaneous, sketch-like quality. Small orange marks on the page may indicate color notes.

History & Provenance

This print is one of Whistler's early studies, showcasing his experimental approach to capturing a scene.

Artist & collection

Portrait of James McNeill Whistler

Artist

James McNeill Whistler

James Abbott McNeill Whistler was an American painter in oils and watercolor, and printmaker, active during the American Gilded Age and based primarily in the United Kingdom.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.