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The Piazetta

Print
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.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • The Piazetta (assigned by artist)
  • Venice, a Series of Twelve Etchings (series title)
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.
Dimensions
  • Height: 25.3cm
  • Width: 17.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Imp' (Inscribed in pencil)
  • (Signed and dated in pencil)
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.
Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • Wedmore, Frederick. Whistler's Etchings, A Study and a Catalogue. London: Colnaghi & Co, 1899. No.155.
  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. San Francisco: Alan Wofsy Fine Arts, 1978. No.189, 5th state.
Collection
Accession number
E.3042-1931

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Record createdNovember 15, 2002
Record URL
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