The Traghetto, No.I
1880
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1880
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Traghetto, No.I is a 1880 ink by James McNeill Whistler, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a dark, narrow boat moving through a tunnel under a bridge. The water looks rough, and the boat’s oars dip in and out of the waves. On the left, a window with crisscrossed panes lets in a little light, while the right side has bare trees with tangled branches. The artist used quick, scratchy lines to show movement and texture—like the water’s ripples or the boat’s speed. The dark tones make the scene feel moody and alive. Next, check out etching, drypoint to see how artists create these kinds of textures.
