The Piazzetta

1880

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image features an urban plaza scene with a ground-level perspective. On the left side, there is an ornate tower and a church dome with detailed architectural features such as arches and pointed rooftops. The horizon is high in the composition, outlined by structures and a distant balustrade. The sketchy brushstrokes give a sense of movement, capturing people scattered throughout the scene. The color palette is monochromatic with shades of sepia. In the distance, there is a clock face and tower partially obscured by flagpoles. Close to us, there are people sitting on steps, interacting, or walking, contributing to the historical urban ambiance of the etching.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. Watson Webb in memory of Mr. and Mrs. H.O. Havemeyer

  • Dimensions

    plate: 25.72 x 18.1 cm (10 1/8 x 7 1/8 in.)
    sheet (includes tab with signature): 26.35 x 18.1 cm (10 3/8 x 7 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1942.15.7

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 218

  • Series Title

    Venice, a Series of Twelve Etchings

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Collection of Mr. James Watson Webb [1884-1960] and Mrs. Electra Havemeyer Webb [1888-1960], Los Angeles and Vermont; gift to NGA 1942.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1995

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

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 189, iii/v.

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. 218.

Inscriptions

on plate: [ butterfly]; lower left on the verso [Whistler (upside down)]; on tab: [butterfly imp. 1886/1887]

Watermarks

WW countermark

Wikidata ID

Q64958839

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