Artwork
Nora Quinn
Nora Quinn is an ink print by the Romanticist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:on plate: (butterfly); on tab: (butterfly) imp; lower right on verso: mK 30683; an illegible 'a' number erased at lower left on verso;
About this work
Overview
Nora Quinn is an 1868 etching in dark brown on laid paper by James McNeill Whistler, created during his London period.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a woman, Nora Quinn, as its central figure. Her facial features and attire are rendered with notable detail, while the composition eschews narrative in favor of aesthetic focus, characteristic of Whistler's artistic approach.
Technique & Style
Whistler employed a range of linework to achieve textured, tonal contrasts. Subtle shading creates depth, adding complexity to the simple yet characterful composition, exemplifying his refined printmaking technique.
History & Provenance
Produced in 1868, Nora Quinn reflects Whistler's broader printmaking practice during this time, emphasizing delicate linework and subtle tonal nuances.
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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