Artwork
High Street, Brussels
High Street, Brussels is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1887 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:on plate: (butterfly); on tab: (butterfly) imp; lower left on verso: MK 30685
About this work
Overview
High Street, Brussels is an etching on laid paper created by James McNeill Whistler in 1887. The print captures a street scene in Brussels, showcasing Whistler's skill in depicting urban environments.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a busy street with tall buildings, pedestrians, and rooftops with chimneys. The scene conveys a sense of everyday life, with people going about their activities, and is characterized by a loose, sketchy quality.
Technique & Style
Whistler employed drypoint technique to achieve textured, scratchy lines, giving the print a spontaneous, observational feel. The use of etching allowed for subtle tonal effects, while the loose lines and scribbles convey a sense of immediacy.
History & Provenance
Whistler, an American expatriate working in Britain, created the print during a period when he was focused on capturing urban scenes with refined composition and delicate technique.
Own this work as a print
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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