Artwork
The Little Putney, No.II
The Little Putney, No.II is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1879, The Little Putteny, No.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:on plate: (butterfly); by later hands: lower centre on the verso: Whistler Little Putney signed with butterfly; lower left on the verso: U / u / g
About this work
Overview
The American-born artist James McNeill Whistler, who spent most of his career in Britain, produced the print as part of his series of atmospheric river scenes.
Created in 1879, The Little Putteny, No. II is an etching and drypoint executed in dark brown on laid paper. The American-born artist James McNeill Whistler, who spent most of his career in Britain, produced the print as part of his series of atmospheric river scenes. The image presents a tranquil stretch of the Thames at Putney, rendered with restrained tonal values and a focus on mood rather than narrative detail.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a calm riverbank where a modest bridge spans the water, flanked by a handful of low buildings. Sparse trees and a solitary chimney rise against a softened sky, suggesting an evening or misty light. Whistler’s treatment emphasizes the quiet, everyday character of the locale, inviting contemplation of the subtle interplay between architecture, nature, and reflected light.
Technique & Style
Whistler combined traditional etching with drypoint, allowing the darker, burr‑rich lines of the latter to coexist with the finer etched marks. The laid paper surface contributes a slight texture that enhances the impression of wavering water and atmospheric depth. The artist’s economy of line and limited palette create a tonal harmony, characteristic of his aesthetic‑focused approach that avoids overt storytelling.
History & Provenance
The print emerged during Whistler’s mature period, when he was consolidating his reputation as a leading figure in the Aesthetic movement. It was issued as part of a limited series of river views that circulated among collectors in the late 19th century. Subsequent ownership records trace the work through several European and American collections before it entered a public museum holding, where it remains accessible for study.
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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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