The Purple Cap c. 1870s

James Abbott McNeill Whistler sketched 'The Purple Cap' using chalk and pastel on brown paper. This combination is far from traditional, yet the layering of dry materials allowed Whistler to suggest depth and capture subtle changes in light and shadow. The choice of materials greatly influences the artwork's appearance, from the roughness of the paper to the softness of the pastel. Whistler employed a drawing technique here, working with layers of color to build up the figure and her surroundings. There is no evidence of strenuous or intensive labor in this artwork; Whistler was keen to pursue the autonomy of art and the artist. His gestural approach conveys a sense of the artist's hand, and the sketch-like quality of 'The Purple Cap' hints at the speed of execution, which was important to Whistler. Ultimately, an understanding of materials, making, and context, reveals how Whistler was actively challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.