James McNeill Whistler

Rose et or: La Tulipe

Date 1894-1896
Materials Oil on canvas
Dimensions 190.5 cm x 89.0 cm
Marks None
Further information GLAHA 46316.
Andrew McLaren Young, Margaret F. MacDonald, Robin Spencer and Hamish Miles, The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler, New Haven and London, Yale University Press, 1980 (418, plate 277).

Note The French title of this portrait translates as Pink and Gold: The Tulip. Whistler spent much of his life in Paris where his friends included the poet Stéphane Mallarmé, and the titles of his paintings often reflect their shared interest in poetry. Whistler commonly named his paintings after colours to bring the viewer’s attention to the surface of the painting, and after objects such as flowers or shells to emphasise the decorative nature of his work. The title may refer to the shape of the pink evening dress worn by his sister-in-law, Ethel Birnie Philip, which opens out like a tulip. Ethel is shown from behind to emphasise the shape and flow of the dress, which is painted in long sweeping strokes. Notice how the hands are only roughly indicated, and how well the fabric of the light puff sleeves is suggested through only minimal detail.

Related works GLAHA 46318, 46319, 46362, 46371, 46386, 46387.