The Riva, No.I

1879/1880

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image depicts a waterfront scene from an elevated perspective. Buildings line the water's edge with ship masts in the background. Linear sketch-like techniques are used to show architecture, figures, movement, and activity. People are walking along the quay, boats are moored nearby, and detailed buildings are seen in the distance. The color palette is sepia and black, creating a historical atmosphere.

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

Exhibition History

1963

  • American Artists as Print Makers, Westmoreland County Museum of Art, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, 1963, no. 225.

2003

  • "Whistler and His Circle in Venice", The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington; The Grolier Club, New York, 2003, no. 40.

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 192, iii/iii.

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. 229, no state listed.

Inscriptions

on plate: (butterfly); lower left on verso: Whistler (upside down); on tab: butterfly of 1886

Watermarks

hunting horn in shield

Wikidata ID

Q64958841

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