The Traghetto, No.II

1879/1880

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image shows a street-level view of a narrow passageway or courtyard. The scene is enclosed by surrounding architecture and foliage, with no prominent horizon visible. On the left, two people stand close by, and on the right, a group of individuals gathered around a table. The brushwork features delicate, fine lines depicting intricate details and texture in trees and buildings. The color palette is monochromatic, emphasizing light and shadow for depth. In the distance, the passageway darkens, with a hint of daylight further ahead.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8523

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 233, state vi/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. 191, iv/vi.

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. 233, state vi/ix.

Inscriptions

center left printed in black ink: [the artist's butterfly]; lower left in graphite on the paper tab: [the artist's monogram] imp.

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q65021940

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