Lobster-Pots

c. 1880/1881

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

A collection of lobster pots in the lower section of the image. The scene extends to an expanse of water establishing the horizon line. The horizon is clear, with simple lines indicating distant objects. The sketch is in a minimalist ink style using fine, linear strokes for texture and form. The color palette is monochromatic with natural tones of paper and dark ink lines.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on Asian laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (trimmed to plate): 11.5 × 19.9 cm (4 1/2 × 7 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8559

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 241, state iv/iv

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Lessing Julius Rosenwald [1891-1971], Philadelphia, (Lugt 1760b); gift to National Gallery of Art, 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. 235, i/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. 241, state iv/iv.

Inscriptions

on plate: (butterfly); Selsea Bill -; on tab (not by Whistler): (butterfly) imp; lower right corner on the verso: "W"; title and K number at lower left on the verso

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q65021975

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