The Steamboat, Venice

1879/1880

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image features a harbor scene with buildings on the distant shore, sailboats on the water, and a high horizon line. The artwork is created using delicate lines to depict the sky, water, and reflections. The color palette is monochrome, emphasizing the contrast between light and dark. In the foreground, there is a small object, while sailboats lead to the busy harbor.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 26.4 x 18.6 cm (10 3/8 x 7 5/16 in.)
    sheet: 36.7 x 23.1 cm (14 7/16 x 9 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1949.5.261

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 212, state i/i

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Howard Mansfield [1849-1938], New York, (Lugt 1342); acquired by Harris Whittemore [1864-1927], Naugatuck, CT, 1919; (his sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 18 January 1949, lot 278); (Charles Sessler, Philadelphia, PA); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald, Jenkintown, PA, 1949; gift to the NGA, 1949.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2005

  • "Whistler - Music", Institut Valencià d'Art Modern, Valencia, 2005.

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 228, ii/ii.

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. 212, state i/iv.

Inscriptions

by unknown hand, lower right in graphite: first proof; by unknown hand, lower left in graphite: B 12

Watermarks

Clasped hands in shield, surmounted by helmet (?)

Wikidata ID

Q65076783

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