Quiet Canal

1880

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image is an etching of a narrow canal scene. The perspective is elevated, showing the buildings on either side of the water. The architecture features ornate facades with arched windows and balconies. The etching lines are fine and sketch-like. The color palette is primarily sepia. A gondolier is navigating a gondola in the foreground, with the water reflecting the scene. The canal narrows in the distance between the receding buildings.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint in dark brown on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. Watson Webb in memory of Mr. and Mrs. H.O. Havemeyer

  • Dimensions

    plate: 22.86 x 15.24 cm (9 x 6 in.)
    sheet (includes tab with signature): 23.65 x 15.56 cm (9 5/16 x 6 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1942.15.31

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 224, state iv/iv

  • Series Title

    Venice, a Series of Twenty-six Etchings

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Collection of Mr. James Watson Webb [1884-1960] and Mrs. Electra Havemeyer Webb [1888-1960], Los Angeles and Vermont; gift to NGA 1942.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 214, iv/v.

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. 224, state iv/iv.

Inscriptions

on tab: (butterfly) imp; lower left on the verso: Whistler (upside down and underlined)

Watermarks

'WW' countermark

Wikidata ID

Q64958888

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