A Violet Note 1885

"A Violet Note" is a pastel drawing by James Abbott McNeill Whistler, completed in 1885. The artwork depicts a nude female figure in a graceful pose, her body contoured in delicate pastel strokes. The figure is bent over, reaching for a single violet flower on the ground. The background is a soft, earthy brown, creating a sense of intimacy and focus on the figure. This work exemplifies Whistler's signature aesthetic, known as "art for art's sake," where beauty and form take precedence over narrative or symbolism.