A Nude Model, Seated on a Couch 1893

James McNeill Whistler made this sketch of a nude model, seated on a couch, using graphite on paper. Whistler, an American artist working primarily in England, engaged with themes of beauty, and aesthetics. This drawing participates in the well-worn history of the nude, a genre that has historically objectified women. The tradition has roots in stories of goddesses and biblical tales of the fall of man and often serves as a demonstration of the artist’s skill. But what does it mean to create this kind of image, and for whom? In the late 19th century, when this sketch was created, the female body was often a site of contestation, as women fought for suffrage, education, and control over their reproductive rights. Although a sketch, the depiction invites us to consider the relationship between artist and model, and to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in representation. How does this image engage with or challenge the viewer's gaze, and what does it reveal about the complexities of seeing and being seen?