The Doorway
Print
ca. 1879 (made)
ca. 1879 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In 1879 Whistler was commissioned by the Fine Art Society to make a set of etchings of Venice. This is a printmaking technique in which acid is used to bite lines in a metal plate. These lines are next filled with ink, which is then printed on to paper.
Whistler was one of the first artists to put his pencilled signature to a print. This practice grew up during the second half of the 19th century in order to identify works printed from surfaces made by the artist him- or herself, as opposed to reproductions of works originally created in other media.
Whistler was one of the first artists to put his pencilled signature to a print. This practice grew up during the second half of the 19th century in order to identify works printed from surfaces made by the artist him- or herself, as opposed to reproductions of works originally created in other media.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Titles |
|
| Materials and techniques | Etching and drypoint on paper |
| Brief description | 'The Doorway', etching and drypoint by James McNeill Whistler, 1879, from Venice, a Series of Twelve Etchings, published by the Fine Art Society, London, 1880. |
| Physical description | Etching and drypoint by James McNeill Whistler, 'The Doorway', 1879. From 'Venice, a Series of Twelve Etchings', published by the Fine Art Society, London, 1880. Also known as 'The First Venice Set'. View of a wide doorway, ornately decorated, with a view into a dark interior and a young woman standing on the steps leading to the water's edge. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Print from 'Venice, a series of Twelve Etchings', published by the Fine Art Society, London, 1880. Also known as ‘The First Venice Set’. W.154; K.188, 7th state. |
| Production | The original drawing was probably made in Venice. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | In 1879 Whistler was commissioned by the Fine Art Society to make a set of etchings of Venice. This is a printmaking technique in which acid is used to bite lines in a metal plate. These lines are next filled with ink, which is then printed on to paper. Whistler was one of the first artists to put his pencilled signature to a print. This practice grew up during the second half of the 19th century in order to identify works printed from surfaces made by the artist him- or herself, as opposed to reproductions of works originally created in other media. |
| Associated objects | |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.168-1965 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | May 25, 2006 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
