Woods's Fruit Shop

c. 1886/1888

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

James McNeill Whistler

Printer, American, 1834 - 1903

This is a drawing of a storefront. The image depicts a shopfront with a sign reading "J.H. WOODS" and "Salesmen." The drawing shows a canopy overhead and an assortment of baskets and goods on display in front of the window. The scene is sketched with fine lines, giving texture and depth to the elements like baskets, goods, and awning. The drawing captures a bustling retail environment, including bins or baskets possibly filled with produce or similar items. The overall tone is monochromatic, relying on shading and line work to convey details and mood.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate (cut to plate mark): 9.5 × 13.1 cm (3 3/4 × 5 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8580

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 327, state iii/iv

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(H. Wunderlich & Co., New York, stock no. a 35395). (Knoedler & Co., New York, stock no. MK 32565). Frederick Keppel [1845-1912], New York. 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. 265, ii/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. 327, state iii/iv.

Inscriptions

"[Whistler's butterfly signature] imp" lower left tab, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "Fruit & Potato - J.H. Woods. - Salesman" upper center composition, in plate, artist's hand. "Wood's Fruit Shop" verso, lower left sheet, graphite, unknown hand. "a 35395" verso, lower left sheet, graphite, unknown hand. "mk32565" verso, lower left sheet, graphite, unknown hand.

Markings

"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink. "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink.

Watermarks

partial Foolscap?

Wikidata ID

Q65021997

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