Portrait of Thomas Way no. 2 1896

"Portrait of Thomas Way no. 2" is a 1896 charcoal drawing by American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler. This drawing captures Thomas Way in a simple pose, standing with his hand in his pocket, his form rendered with a sense of realism and depth. The stark contrast between light and dark areas emphasizes the subject's presence against a shadowy backdrop. Whistler's use of gestural lines and subtle shading evokes a sense of spontaneity and immediacy, characteristic of his later work. The composition is striking in its simplicity, focusing attention on the sitter's enigmatic gaze and the play of light and shadow. This drawing demonstrates Whistler's mastery of portraiture and his distinctive artistic style.