Little Smithfield

c. 1877

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image shows a narrow alley with old buildings tightly packed together, creating a sense of enclosure. The buildings block the view of the sky, with the perspective leading towards the distance between them. The horizon is obscured by the tall, leaning structures. The sketchy style uses fine lines to depict architectural details like planks of wood and window panes, creating a textured and aged atmosphere. The monochromatic color palette adds to the antiquated feel, with two figures lightly sketched at the bottom center.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

John Nichols Estabrook and Dorothy Coogan Estabrook; gift to NGA, 1987.  

Associated Names

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 160.

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. 154, only state.

Inscriptions

"[Whistler's butterfly signature] imp" lower left tab, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. Verso: none.

Markings

None.

Watermarks

"J LLOYD"

Wikidata ID

Q74876903

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