Steps, Gray's Inn

c. 1886/1888

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image depicts a park scene viewed from a slightly elevated angle. The horizon is high up, with small figures on a path or promenade. Closer to the viewer, there are seated figures, including adults and children. The etching features sparse lines and a sketch-like quality. The color palette is monochromatic, with the lines in a dark hue. Elements in the middle and distance, such as trees and figures, are depicted with minimal detail.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (trimmed to plate): 6.5 × 17.8 cm (2 9/16 × 7 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8598

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 282, state i/i

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Mrs E. B. Holden (according to Kennedy, 1910). (Colnaghi's, London, stock no. c 6536). Henry Harper Benedict [1844-1935], New York, (Lugt 2936). Purchased June 23, 1928 by Lessing Julius Rosenwald [1891-1971], Philadelphia, (Lugt 1760b); gift to National Gallery of Art, 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. 295.

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. 282, state i/i.

Inscriptions

on plate: (butterfly); on tab: (butterfly) imp; c.6536' at lower right on verso; lower right on the verso: 9; title at lower left on the verso; Kennedy number on the verso by Harold Wright

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q65022015

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