Little Dordrecht

1884

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image shows a busy harbor scene with various figures and objects sketched intricately across the composition. The point of view is slightly elevated, allowing a view of the activity on the docks and the boats in the water. The horizon is in the upper third of the image with ship masts piercing the sky. The line work appears delicate and linear, possibly created through an etching technique. The color scheme consists mainly of sepia tones. Various figures are engaged in activities near wheelbarrow-like objects, with ships anchored in the waterway beyond. Thin lines in the distance suggest land or clouds against the sky.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching in dark brown on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 9.5 × 13.3 cm (3 3/4 × 5 1/4 in.)
    sheet: 10.7 × 15.8 cm (4 3/16 × 6 1/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1949.5.264

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 260, 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 292); (Charles Sessler, Philadelphia, PA); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald, Jenkintown, PA, 1949; gift to the NGA, 1949.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 243.

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. 260, state i/i.

Inscriptions

on plate: (butterfly); lower left on verso: a 38270; Wedmore number at lower center on the verso; on the verso: ix- and 7t

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q65076816

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