The Little Forge

1875

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

James McNeill Whistler

Printer, American, 1834 - 1903

This is a drawing of an interior scene. The image shows a room with a complex arrangement of lines and figures. Various shapes and forms hint at objects and furniture in the foreground. The drawing conveys movement and depth through its use of cross-hatching and varied line density. It has a sketch-like quality, with an expressive nature, providing insight into the ambiance of the environment.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    drypoint on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate (cut to plate mark): 22.6 × 15 cm (8 7/8 × 5 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8479

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 141, state vi/xvi

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Possibly John Caldwell (note on Mat), Pittsburgh [1882-1907]. (H. Wunderlich & Co., New York, stock no. a 34130). 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. 147, iv/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. 141, state vi/xvi.

Inscriptions

"[Whistler's butterfly signature] imp" lower left tab, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "52751" verso, graphite, unknown hand.

Markings

"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink. "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink.

Watermarks

[Arms of Amsterdam]

Wikidata ID

Q65021896

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