The Balcony

1879/1880

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image depicts a building next to a canal in Venice. The point of view is from the canal, facing the building. There is no visible horizon line. The intricate architectural details such as balconies, arched windows, and walls are shown with delicate lines. The scene is in sepia tones, giving it a vintage look. There is a figure in a gondola near the building, and another figure further back. The style resembles an etching, with fine linework showing the building and its reflection on the water.

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. 207, v/xi.

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. 202, state v/xix.

Inscriptions

on plate: (butterfly); in graphite lower left on verso: Whistler (upside down); on tab: (butterfly imp)

Watermarks

hunting horn in shield

Wikidata ID

Q64958876

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