Artwork
The Winged Hat
The Winged Hat is a print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Winged Hat is a print created by James McNeill Whistler in 1890, currently part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a seated woman wearing a distinctive wide-brimmed hat adorned with a prominent feather. Her attire, including a high-collared dress with long sleeves, and an object held in her lap, suggests a portrait emphasizing quiet, everyday elegance.
Technique & Style
Characterized by loose, blurry background lines and soft, sketchy rendering of the figure, the work contrasts with the sharp detail of the feather in the hat. This stylistic approach conveys a sense of spontaneity and immediacy, intentionally eschewing meticulous finish for a lively, quick impression.
Context
The loose, sketchy aesthetic of The Winged Hat aligns with principles of Impressionism, which valued capturing fleeting moments and impressions over precise detail.
History & Provenance
Created in 1890 by James McNeill Whistler, the print is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, though specific details of its acquisition history are not provided here.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
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