The Piazzetta

1880

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image shows an urban square filled with people. The view is slightly elevated, capturing the historic square with various architectural structures. In the center is an ornate building with a clock. The sky is partially filled with some clouds. People are seen on steps in the foreground. The architecture is detailed with fine lines and cross-hatching, creating depth. The color scheme is predominantly sepia. In the distance, people are spread out around the square, including street vendors.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 25.4 x 17.78 cm (10 x 7 in.)
    sheet (includes tab with signature): 25.72 x 17.78 cm (10 1/8 x 7 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8522

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 218, state ix/ix

  • Series Title

    Venice, a Series of Twelve Etchings

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

A.J. Parsons [1857-1935], (Lugt sup. 138b). Theodore de Witt, New York.
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.

1953

  • Whistler's Prints, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1953.

1973

  • Western Maryland College, Westminster, MD, 1973.

2022

  • Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass: American Artists and the Magic of Murano, Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, 2022.

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 189, v/v.

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. 218, state ix/ix.

Inscriptions

on plate: [butterfly]; lower left on the verso: 4; on tab: [butterfly of 1888/1889]

Watermarks

partial large shield (not distinguishable); Strasbourg lily

Wikidata ID

Q65021939

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