Isle de la Cité, Paris

1859

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image shows a bird's-eye view sketch of a cityscape with two bridges crossing over a river. One bridge is closer, has an iron lattice structure and several pedestrian figures. The other bridge is larger, made of stone with multiple arches, connecting to a small island with clustered buildings. Trees are lightly sketched, and the background fades into less defined structures. The artist uses fine, precise lines to depict architectural elements, creating a dynamic atmosphere. The color palette is monochromatic, emphasizing contrast through varied densities of ink lines, offering a sharp impression of the historical urban setting.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8439

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 63, only state

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

John W. Wilson, (Lugt 2581); (Sotheby's, sale 22 April 1887, lot 196). Bernard Buchanan MacGeorge [1845?-1924], Glasgow, (Lugt 394). (H. Wunderlich & Co., New York, purchased 1903, stock no. a 42189). John Nichols Estabrook and Dorothy Coogan Estabrook; gift to NGA, 1988.

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. 60.

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. 63, only state.

Inscriptions

on plate lower left: Whistler. - / Dec. 1859. / Paris de la Galerie d'Ap; on paper: (butterfly signature)

Wikidata ID

Q65021856

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