Artwork
Lindsey Houses
Lindsey Houses is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1877 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:[Whistler's butterfly signature] center left composition, in plate, artist's hand. Not dated. "9" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "a47924" verso, lower left sheet, graphite, unknown hand. "107" [encircled] verso, lower right sheet, graphite, unknown hand.
- Markings
- Marked:"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, stamped twice. "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink.
About this work
Overview
Lindsey Houses is a 1877 drypoint print on laid paper by James McNeill Whistler, capturing a serene Thames riverside scene of modest brick houses, boats, trees, and a bridge, rendered in characteristic precise yet delicate linework.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays a quiet, everyday waterfront scene, focusing on the humble architecture and natural surroundings along the Thames, reflecting Whistler's aesthetic emphasis on capturing subtle, unassuming moments.
Technique & Style
Executed in drypoint, the piece showcases Whistler's mastery of scratching into metal plates, resulting in lines with a distinctive, slightly rough texture, evident in the loose yet precise depiction of buildings, boats, and landscape elements.
History & Provenance
Created in 1877, Lindsey Houses exemplifies Whistler's work during his UK-based period, aligning with his 'art for art's sake' principle, though specific provenance details are not provided.
Context
Produced during the American Gilded Age, though created in the UK, the work contrasts with the era's opulence by portraying simple, everyday life, underscoring Whistler's diverse output across oils, watercolor, and printmaking.
Legacy
Lindsey Houses contributes to Whistler's legacy in printmaking, demonstrating his skill in drypoint and his influence on the medium, though its individual impact within his broader oeuvre is not specified.
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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