From Pickle-Herring Stairs

c. 1878

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image shows a cityscape with boats in a river or harbor. Some boats are close to us, while others stretch into the distance. The buildings and masts create a horizon line blending into the sky. Linear brushstrokes give an impressionistic effect. The color palette is monochromatic with sepia tones. A rowing boat is visible close to us on the left. In the distance, larger vessels with tall masts cluster together. Buildings rise above the water in the background.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8502

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 164, state vi/viii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(H. Wunderlich & Co., New York, stock no. a 38305). Albert W. Scholle [d. 1910], New York, (Lugt 2923a). Lessing Julius Rosenwald [1891-1971], Philadelphia, (Lugt 1760b); gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1931

  • Etchings, Lithographs, Original Drawings, and Autograph Letters by James A. McNeill Whistler, The Free Library of Philadelphia, 1931.

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 167, v/vi.

2012

  • MacDonald, Margaret F., Grischka Petri, Joanna Meacock.James McNeill Whistler: The Etchings, a catalogue raisonné. University of Glasgow on-line website at http://etchings.arts.gla.ac.uk. University of Glasgow, 2012: no. 164, state vi/viii.

Inscriptions

on plate: (butterfly); on sheet in lower margin: (butterfly); lower left on recto: 604; lower right on recto: W137 / X[?]

Watermarks

Beehive DEDB

Wikidata ID

Q65021919

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