Artwork
The Little Mast
The Little Mast is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left on the verso: Whistler (upside down); Ep [or Ex] (upside down); on tab: [butterfly imp.]
About this work
Overview
The Little Mast is a print created by James McNeill Whistler in 1880 using etching and drypoint techniques on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a slender mast on a cobblestone street, surrounded by old buildings and people, with a large ship in the background. The scene is rendered with an emphasis on composition and aesthetic refinement rather than narrative content.
Technique & Style
Whistler employed a range of lines and shading to achieve depth and texture, characteristic of his delicate and stylized approach to printmaking. The work showcases his technical skill and attention to detail.
Context
The print reflects Whistler's adherence to the principle of 'art for art's sake,' prioritizing aesthetic qualities over thematic or moral content, a stance that aligned with his artistic philosophy during the American Gilded Age.
Own this work as a print
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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