Artwork
Nocturne: Salute
Nocturne: Salute is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
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- Inscribed:lower left in plate: artist's monogram
About this work
Overview
Nocturne: Salute is a print created by James McNeill Whistler in 1880, using etching and drypoint techniques on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a nighttime cityscape with a hazy atmosphere, featuring a few indistinct buildings and a prominent dome-shaped structure. Whistler's focus on tonal harmony and atmospheric effects takes precedence over narrative detail, reflecting his 'art for art's sake' principle.
Technique & Style
Whistler employed quick, scratchy lines to convey movement and light, characteristic of his drypoint technique. The brown ink on the textured, aged paper creates a distinctive visual effect, while his signature butterfly mark adds a touch of delicacy and subtlety.
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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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