Artwork
Riva degli Schiavoni, No. 1
Riva degli Schiavoni, No. 1 is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Frank Duveneck. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:signed lower left in plate: FD [monogram, F backwards]; loer right in graphite: F. Duveneck
- Markings
- Marked:stamped verso in black ink: LJR / National Gallery of Art
About this work
Overview
Frank Duveneck’s print titled Riva degli Schiavoni, No. 1 is an 1880 etching executed on wove paper. The work combines traditional etching with roulette and chine collé, resulting in a black‑and‑white image that captures a bustling Venetian waterfront.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts the Riva degli Schiavoni promenade, crowded with pedestrians who sit, stroll, and converse along the quay. Tall‑masted vessels dominate the harbor, while a row of buildings frames the scene, conveying the daily rhythm of a 19th‑century port city.
Technique & Style
Duveneck employed a loose, sketch‑like line that varies in thickness and texture, achieved through direct scratching of the metal plate. The uneven, rough strokes give the print a sense of immediacy and movement, while the roulette tool adds subtle tonal variation across the surface.
History & Provenance
Created in 1880, the print is part of Duveneck’s series of Italian views produced during his travels. It remains a representative example of his interest in urban scenes and his experimentation with mixed printmaking methods, though specific ownership records beyond its original issuance are limited.
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