Street at Saverne

James McNeill Whistler

1858

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Early 19th Century Cityscape street

About this work

This etching shows a quiet street in Saverne, France. A few rooftops and a church spire peek through a light fog. Two lone figures walk away down the lane. Whistler made this while traveling in Europe. He often sketched towns this way—simple, almost quiet. It’s one of many small prints he called “etchings.” His drypoint lines scratch deep into the plate. See how they catch the light.