The Doorway

1880

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

This is a drawing of a grand, ornately designed doorway partially submerged in water. The drawing features an elaborate archway with intricate patterns and carvings. The water reaches the lower portion of the entrance. Behind the doorway, there is a recessed interior space with steps leading upward. Shadows and cross-hatching create an interplay of light and dark.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching, drypoint and roulette on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.1886

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 193

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(H. Wunderlich & Co., New York, stock no. a 36481). Lessing Julius Rosenwald [1891-1971], Philadelphia, (Lugt 1760b); gift to NGA, 1943.  

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1988

  • Graphic Survey Show, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., June 1988.

2003

  • "Whistler and His Circle in Venice", The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington; The Grolier Club, New York, 2003.

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 188, v/vii.

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. 193.

Inscriptions

on plate: [butterfly]; on verso: [butterfly]; lower left: Mr. Rawlinson -; on tab: butterfly imp.

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q64958905

You may be interested in

Loading Results