Furniture Shop

c. 1887

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image is viewed from a direct frontal perspective, capturing a scene with a rustic appearance. The horizon is not distinctly marked but can be inferred to lie near the top third of the image, with elements suggesting a building structure and possible rooftops extending horizontally. The style of the work is characterized by loose, sketch-like brushstrokes, using fine, thin lines to suggest forms and shadows. The color palette is predominantly monochromatic, featuring various shades of soft, warm beige as the background, with brownish-black lines defining the objects. Closest to us, there is a suggestion of a street market or an outdoor display with outlines reminiscent of tents or awnings, and some indistinct forms suggesting goods or furniture. In the distance, the sketched lines become less detailed, blending into the textured background, providing depth and a sense of space to the scene.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching in dark brown on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (trimmed to plate): 9.5 × 16.2 cm (3 3/4 × 6 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1949.5.270

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 278, state i/ii


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Bernard Buchanan MacGeorge [1845?-1924], Glasgow (partial stamp, Lugt 394); Wunderlich & Co., New York (stock no. a 37369); Edward G. Kennedy [1849-1932], New York (Lugt 857); 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 305); (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. 266.

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. 278, state i/ii.

Inscriptions

on plate: (butterfly); on board or panel at left: BECCINO [?]; on tab: (butterfly) imp; on verso: a 37369

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q65076835

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