Standing Woman Holding Up Her Dress c. 1872

This is an undated pencil on paper drawing entitled *Standing Woman Holding Up Her Dress* by James Abbott McNeill Whistler, an American artist active during the late 19th century. Whistler was known for his aestheticism, which valued beauty and art for its own sake, rather than for any moral or narrative content. In this sketch, the artist captures a fleeting moment, a woman holding up her dress. It’s a scene that seems simple, yet it's charged with implications about the role of women during Whistler’s time. In the Victorian era, a woman’s identity was often tied to her clothing and social presentation. Whistler here seems less interested in traditional representation and more focused on depicting the inner, personal moments of women's lives, something usually unseen by the public. The rough sketch taps into the intimacy of a private moment, emphasizing the vulnerability and humanity of the woman, inviting a conversation about identity, beauty, and the female experience.