Artwork
The Riva, No. 2
The Riva, No. 2 is a print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Riva, No.
About this work
Overview
The Riva, No. 2 is a print executed by James McNeill Whistler in 1886. The work depicts a tranquil river scene, rendered in the artist’s characteristic tonal palette. It forms part of Whistler’s series of waterway studies, illustrating his interest in atmosphere and subtle gradations of light.
Technique & Style
Created using the etching and drypoint methods, the print showcases Whistler’s mastery of line and wash. The delicate incisions and soft tonal washes combine to produce a muted, almost monochromatic effect, reflecting the artist’s “art for art’s sake” philosophy and his pursuit of harmonious composition over narrative detail.
History & Provenance
Since its production in the late nineteenth century, The Riva, No. 2 has entered several private collections before being acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art. The museum now holds the piece as part of its American art holdings, where it is displayed alongside other works from Whistler’s print oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
James Abbott McNeill Whistler 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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