Artwork
The Little Pool
The Little Pool is a print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1965.285
- Credit line
- Gift of Mrs. Malcolm L. McBride
About this work
Overview
The Little Pool is a print produced in 1861 by American-born artist James McNeill Whistler. Executed during the early phase of Whistler’s career, the work exemplifies his interest in tonal harmony and atmospheric effects. It is part of the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed among other 19th‑century prints.
Technique & Style
Created as a print, the piece reflects Whistler’s experimentation with line and wash, employing a restrained palette to evoke the quiet surface of water. The composition balances delicate detailing with broad tonal areas, a hallmark of Whistler’s approach that foreshadows his later development of the “art for art’s sake” aesthetic.
History & Provenance
The Little Pool entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, though precise details of its purchase remain limited. Its presence in the museum’s collection underscores the institution’s commitment to representing pivotal works from Whistler’s formative period.
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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