Artwork
The Doorway
The Doorway is a print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1940.813
- Credit line
- Bequest of James Parmelee
About this work
Overview
The Doorway, created by James McNeill Whistler in 1880, is a print housed in The Cleveland Museum of Art. The composition centers on a large, arched doorway, incorporating architectural details and a partially obscured figure.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a mysterious, ornately framed doorway with steps, flanked by diamond-patterned walls. A figure, indistinct, stands within, contributing to an ambiance of mystery and intrigue.
Technique & Style
Whistler employs strong contrasts, suggestive of chiaroscuro, to emphasize light and shadow, though specific technical details of this print (e.g., medium) are not provided.
History & Provenance
Created in 1880 by James McNeill Whistler, the work's history prior to its current location in The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here.
Artist & collection
Artist
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (; July 10, 1834 – July 17, 1903) was an American painter in oils and watercolor, and printmaker, active during the American Gilded Age and based primarily in the United Kingdom.
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