The Little Pool

1861

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image shows a harbor scene with ships, buildings, and figures. The perspective appears elevated, possibly from a dock. The horizon is at the top, showing a cityscape with moored ships. The drawing uses fine lines, capturing movement and details. Two figures are at the edge, one seated and one standing. The color scheme is monochromatic with sepia or brown against a light background. The composition leads the eye from close details to the distant ships and buildings, creating depth in the scene.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint in dark brown on grey laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 10.16 x 12.7 cm (4 x 5 in.)
    sheet: 16.51 x 18.42 cm (6 1/2 x 7 1/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8448

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 79, state ii/ix

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Lessing Julius Rosenwald [1891-1971], Philadelphia, (Lugt 1760b-c); 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. 74, ii/viii.

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. 79, state ii/ix.

Inscriptions

on plate: Whistler. / 1861 -; The Works of James Whistler Etchings and Dry Points, are on View at E. Thomas' Publisher. / 39. Old Bond Street.; by later hand on recto: Little pool / trial proof / very early / extremely rare / 11 / damage; [arrow pointing to blob on recto at the top of the sheet]

Wikidata ID

Q65021865

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