The Bridge

1879/1880

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image is a black and white etching capturing a canal scene in a historic European city. The horizon line is higher in the composition, aligning with distant architectural structures that diminish towards the top edge, with several buildings flanking the canal. The artwork features intricate, linear brushstrokes emphasizing details in the architecture and figures, creating a delicate yet bustling environment. Close to us are small boats with figures preparing for or in the act of rowing, and a bridge crosses the canal slightly above the center of the image. The bridge is populated with several figures observing the activity below. Beyond the bridge, more figures and gondolas fill the scene, adding life and movement. The color palette is monochromatic, relying on the contrast between the ink and the paper for visual depth.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on Asian laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8537

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 201, no state listed


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(H. Wunderlich & Co., New York, stock nos. a 28913, 81317). 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

  • The Collector's Taste, Andrew Dickinson White Art Museum, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 1953-1954.

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 204, viii/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. 201, no state listed.

Inscriptions

on plate; butterfly; on tab: butterfly 'imp';lower right on the verso: The Bridge / very scarce ; lower left: 145.; lower right: £9

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q65021954

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