1880
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Little Lagoon is a 1880 ink by James McNeill Whistler, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a quiet harbor scene with boats floating on calm water. In the distance, a few ships sit near a low shoreline, while closer to the front, a small sailboat and a capsized rowboat add a touch of life. The artist used loose, quick lines to capture light and movement, leaving some areas almost empty. The paper has a textured surface, typical of etchings, where the ink sits in the lines carved into the plate. This technique lets the artist build up shadows and details with precision. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Whistler used this method to create delicate, expressive prints.
James Abbott McNeill Whistler 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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