Two Ships

1875

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image shows two large sailboats docked on calm water, with tall masts and intricate rigging. In the background, similar ships and structures are visible, suggesting a busy port scene. The artist uses a delicate, linear style with fine etching strokes to depict details. The color palette is monochrome, emphasizing the contrast of dark lines against a light background. The background features masts of other ships and vague outlines of the port, adding depth and perspective to the scene.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8481

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 143, state v/v

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Lessing Julius Rosenwald [1891-1971], Philadelphia, (Lugt 1760b); 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. 148, iii/iii.

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. 143, state v/v.

Inscriptions

on plate: (butterfly); by later hands, lower left on the recto: No 19 / Two Ship' [twice]; lower left on the verso: Dov. En [in script, En underlined]; lower centre on the recto: K.148 III

Wikidata ID

Q65021898

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