Dancing Girl (1885 – 1890) by James McNeill Whistler

Dancing Girl - James McNeill Whistler - 1885 - 1890

Artwork Information

TitleDancing Girl
ArtistJames McNeill Whistler
Date1885 - 1890
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions22.4 x 29.7 cm
Art MovementSymbolism

About Dancing Girl

The artwork titled “Dancing Girl” was created by the artist James McNeill Whistler between 1885 and 1890. This piece is an oil painting on canvas, representative of the Symbolism movement. The nude painting measures 22.4 x 29.7 cm in dimension. It embodies an artistic genre that often explores abstract ideas, emotions, and individual interpretations through mythological and dream-like imagery.

In this artwork, we can observe the delicate depiction of a female figure, presumably captured in a motion that conveys the essence of dancing. The artist has rendered the subject with a sense of fluidity and grace, using a light and nuanced palette to evoke the subtleties of the human form and the transient nature of movement. The brushstrokes are loose, providing an impressionistic feel that adds a layer of poetic mystique to the piece. The woman’s pose, with one arm raised and draped in a flowing garment that catches the light, gives an expression of elegance and freedom, while her calm facial expression and direct gaze imbue the portrait with a serene, reflective quality. It is a celebration of the human form and the act of dance as a powerful means of symbolic expression.

Other Artwork from James McNeill Whistler

More Symbolism Artwork

Scroll to Top