The Staircase: Note in Red

James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) · 1880

The tree peeking over the courtyard wall is in blossom, but its leaves are still in bud, suggesting that this drawing was completed in the spring of 1880. In contrast to The Beggars-Winter, (see F1902.175) this pastel is awash in color. The dominant feature is the rich, orange-red of the staircase, but the drawing is enlivened with delicate touches of white; yellow; light, dark, and orangey pink; dark orange; pale and dark gray; and pale blue, all of which are united by the brown paper.