Artwork
La Jolie New Yorkaise
La Jolie New Yorkaise is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
La Jolie New Yorkaise is a 1894 lithograph by James Whistler, depicting a stylishly dressed woman in profile set against a subdued, darkly silhouetted background. Executed in black on wove paper, the work showcases Whistler's mastery of nuanced line work and tonal depth.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a fashionable woman with a prominently feathered hat, stands contemplatively near a window, evoking a sense of serene introspection. Her profile pose and the simplicity of the composition underscore Whistler's focus on aesthetic refinement.
Technique & Style
Characterized by soft, smoky lines, the lithograph exemplifies Whistler's ability to convey subtlety through printmaking. The butterfly signature, a hallmark of his oeuvre, bridges his delicate artistic sensibility with a distinctive, assertive touch.
History & Provenance
Created during the Gilded Age, this work reflects Whistler's transatlantic artistic persona as an American expatriate in London. Now part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington, its provenance highlights the artist's enduring international appeal.
Context
While primarily recognized for his oil and watercolor paintings, such as those seen in *The Peacock Room*, *La Jolie New Yorkaise* demonstrates Whistler's skill in printmaking, aligning with the 'art for art's sake' movement's emphasis on aesthetic exploration across mediums.
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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