Quiet Canal
1880
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1880
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This etching shows a narrow canal lined with dark buildings. The water is calm, reflecting the soft light. Boats sit still along the edge. Whistler used a needle to scratch lines onto the plate. This drypoint technique makes the shadows rich and velvety. The details are simple but full of quiet mood. Look for the same calm in Whistler’s paintings at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
