Miss Maud Franklin c. 1872 - 1873

Curator: This is James McNeill Whistler's portrait of Miss Maud Franklin. It currently resides at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as a study in quiet observation, a delicate dance of soft hues. A little melancholic, perhaps. Curator: Whistler often chose muted palettes, aiming to evoke a mood rather than photographic realism. His aesthetic rebelled against the art establishment of his time. Editor: I feel like I'm glimpsing a fleeting moment, a whisper of a feeling. It's as if he captured not just her likeness, but her very essence. Curator: Whistler sought to elevate art to the level of music, prioritizing harmony and tone above narrative, which certainly informs our reading of this portrait. Editor: It's quite remarkable, this stillness. It makes me want to linger, to really see her. A timeless piece, indeed.