The Piazetta
Print
1880 (published)
1880 (published)
| 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
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| Object type | |
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| Materials and techniques | Etching on paper |
| Brief description | 'The Piazzetta', etching by James McNeill Whistler, ca.1879, plate from Venice, a Series of Twelve Etchings, published by the Fine Art Society, London, 1880 (also known as The First Venice Set) |
| Physical description | Etching by James McNeill Whistler, 'The Piazzetta', ca.1879. From 'Venice, a Series of Twelve Etchings', published by the Fine Art Society, London, 1880. Also known as 'The First Venice Set'. Signed and dated in pencil and inscribed 'Imp'. View of the steps at the base of St. Mark's column in Piazzetta San Marco, with St. Mark's Basilica glimpsed behind it. |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Hans Velten |
| Object history | From Venice, a Series of Twelve Etchings, published by the Fine Art Society, London, 1880. Also known as 'The First Venice Set'. W.155; K.188, 5th state. |
| Places 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. |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.3042-1931 |
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| Record created | November 15, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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