Little Steps, Chelsea

c. 1884/1886

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

This is a drawing of an exterior architectural scene with a focus on a building entrance. The drawing consists of loose pencil or ink strokes outlining the details of the scene. There is a hint of a doorway at the center, with stairs leading up to it. Faint outlines suggest windows and possibly a railing on either side of the entrance. The drawing captures a street-side view in an impressionistic style that focuses on the essence of the scene rather than precise details. The composition conveys a sense of a fleeting moment, likely intended as a quick study sketch.

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 in dark brown on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (trimmed to plate): 5 × 8.1 cm (1 15/16 × 3 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8577

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 269, state i/ii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Knoedler & Co., New York, stock no. 36558). Purchased April 13, 1939 by Lessing Julius Rosenwald [1891-1971], Philadelphia, (Lugt 1760b); gift to National Gallery of Art, 1943.  

Associated Names

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 262, i/ii.

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. 269, state i/ii.

Inscriptions

on plate: (butterfly); on tab: (butterfly) imp; lower left on verso: MK 36558; center right on verso: 6045; upside down on the tab on the verso: 213; (upside down, each I is lower case) at lower right on the verso: I/I/

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q65021993

You may be interested in

Loading Results