Who painted The Lime-Burner?

The Lime-Burner was painted by James McNeill Whistler in 1859.

Where can I see The Lime-Burner?

The Lime-Burner is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Lime-Burner?

The Lime-Burner is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of The Lime-Burner?

Museum-quality prints of The Lime-Burner are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Lime-Burner

James McNeill Whistler , 1859

The Lime-Burner is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right in plate: Whistler / 1859.; by later hand bottom right corner: 10

About this work

Overview

The Lime-Burner is an etching and drypoint on Japanese paper created by James McNeill Whistler in 1859. It showcases the artist's skill in printmaking, a medium he explored alongside painting.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a suited man working in a dimly lit, cluttered space with wooden structures and ladders. The scene's details and atmosphere are rendered through Whistler's use of shading and texture, creating a sense of depth.

Technique & Style

Whistler employed etching and drypoint techniques to achieve a range of visual effects, from the intricate details of the man's clothing to the softer, looser rendering of the background. This contrast highlights his expressive use of medium.

Context

The Lime-Burner is associated with the Realism movement and reflects Whistler's advocacy for 'art for art's sake,' emphasizing refined visual effects over sentimentality.

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Artist & collection

Artist

James McNeill Whistler

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.