Attendant que le linge sèche! Cologne 1858

"Attendant que le linge sèche! Cologne," is a sketch by James Abbott McNeill Whistler created in 1858. This intimate, pencil-drawn sketch captures a fleeting moment of domesticity. The reclining figure suggests a relaxed and informal setting, perhaps the artist's own home. This informal composition, executed in rapid strokes, is a hallmark of Whistler's early work and reflects the influence of the Realist movement in capturing everyday life. Whistler's signature inscription in French, "Attendant que le linge sèche! Cologne," (While the linen dries, Cologne), hints at a sense of domesticity and leisure, adding a touch of literary flair to this casual scene.