Woman in White (Portrait of the Artist's Wife)

1905

When Howard Gardiner Cushing married Ethel Cochrane in 1903, he found his muse. The beauteous Ethel, with alabaster skin, almond-shaped eyes and long golden red hair was painted time and again by her husband, both alone and with their family. In this portrait Cushing used his wife's face, figure and costume to experiment with the nuances of white on white, creating a study of form and color, in the manner of his friend, James M. Whistler's The White Girl. In addition, Cushing was influenced by his Parisian study, seen in the semi-pointillist brushstrokes and the Japonisme of the era.

Newport/New York

Oil on canvas

framed: 81 1/4 in x 42 in; Image: 75 in x 36 in

Deed of Gift of the Howard G. Cushing Memorial Committee

1920.001.001