Doorway and Vine

1880

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image shows an open archway leading into a space beyond, potentially a room or a courtyard. The view is from the exterior looking directly through the archway into the structure. The horizon is not visible within the scene. The etching technique creates detailed depictions of the archway and surrounding textures using fine, delicate lines. The style is linear with hatching strokes to indicate shadows, especially under the arch. The color scheme includes various sepia tones, giving the image a warm and vintage aesthetic. Climbing plants with fine leaves are suggested to be present on the left side and above the archway. In the distance, there are two figures in front of a lighted area, silhouetted against a smaller, bright square opening that could be another room or courtyard in the far background. To the right, there are markings representing a window with some scattered elements that may suggest sparse vegetation or grass.

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 laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 23.5 x 16.83 cm (9 1/4 x 6 5/8 in.)
    sheet (includes tab with signature): 23.81 x 16.83 cm (9 3/8 x 6 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.8655

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 191

  • Series Title

    Venice, a Series of Twenty-six Etchings


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

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.

1995

  • Prints by James McNeill Whistler and His Contemporaries, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1995.

2003

  • "Whistler and His Circle in Venice", The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington; The Grolier Club, New York, 2003, no. 44.

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 196, vi/x.

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. 191, no state listed.

Inscriptions

on plate: : butterfly; on tab: butterfly 'imp.'/ butterfly of 1886/1887

Watermarks

S WISE & CO / 1825 (Chicago watermark K.320)

Wikidata ID

Q65022073

You may be interested in

Loading Results