The Little Lagoon

1879/1880

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image shows a distance view overlooking a body of water with small boats. The horizon line is positioned around the upper third of the image, showing a faint outline of land and larger ships in the distance. The delicate style features fine, sketch-like brown lines defining the elements such as boats and ripples on the water. Near us, a couple of slender posts protrude from the water, while a small boat glides by with individuals rowing. In the background, there is a soft transition into land and sky. The color palette is muted and monochromatic, mainly tan and brown tones, creating a serene visual impact.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 22.86 x 15.24 cm (9 x 6 in.)
    sheet (with tab): 23.5 × 15.24 cm (9 1/4 × 6 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8520

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 216, state iii/iv

  • Series Title

    Venice, a Series of Twelve Etchings

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Bought on 15 March 1928 by Lessing Julius Rosenwald [1891-1971], Philadelphia; 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. 186.

2012

  • MacDonald, Margaret, Grischka Petri, Meg Hausberg, and Joanna Meacock. James McNeill Whistler: The Etchings, A Catalogue Raisonné. Scotland: University of Glasgow, 2012, no. 216, iii/vi. http://etchings.arts.gla.ac.uk

Inscriptions

lower right in plate: [the artist's butterfly]; lower left in graphite: [the artist's butterfly] imp

Wikidata ID

Q65021937

You may be interested in

Loading Results