The Traghetto, No.II

1880

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image depicts an intimate courtyard scene with two figures standing and conversing on the left side. The courtyard is shaded by a tree, leading to an archway in the middle distance, where a group of people are seated around a table engaging in discussion. The background shows a tall tree and the walls of adjacent buildings. The composition focuses on the enclosure created by the courtyard walls and overhead foliage. The brushstrokes and etching lines are delicate and sketch-like, giving an impressionistic feel. The color palette is muted and monochromatic, dominated by warm sepia tones.

Media Options

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Artwork overview


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

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 191, iv/vi.

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. 233.

Inscriptions

on plate: (butterfly);lower right on the verso by artist: butterfly / Ex-; on tab: butterfly imp.

Watermarks

Arms of Amsterdam

Wikidata ID

Q64958840

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