Japanese Woman Painting a Fan c. 1872

"Japanese Woman Painting a Fan" is a pastel drawing by James Abbott McNeill Whistler created around 1872. The artwork features a woman in a Japanese kimono, standing in profile and holding a fan. The use of pastel creates a soft and delicate effect, enhancing the ethereal quality of the figure. The background, with its muted colors and abstract patterns, evokes a sense of tranquility and suggests a Japanese aesthetic. Whistler, known for his interest in Japanese art and culture, captured a fleeting moment, emphasizing the graceful form of the woman and the elegance of her attire.