Artwork
The Smith: Passage du Dragon
The Smith: Passage du Dragon is a print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1894, "The Smith: Passage du Dragon" is a print by James McNeill Whistler that belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts an interior scene illuminated by a narrow shaft of light entering through a doorway, casting the surrounding space in subdued shadow.
Subject & Meaning
At the centre of the composition a solitary figure sits at a table, dressed in dark garments and absorbed in an unspecified task. A modest heap of objects rests on the floor, suggesting a lived‑in environment and emphasizing the quiet concentration of the individual within a cluttered, perhaps work‑related, setting.
Technique & Style
Whistler employs a limited tonal palette and delicate gradations of light to convey atmosphere, characteristic of his tonal approach. The print’s fine lines and subtle shading create a sense of depth while maintaining the flatness typical of late 19th‑century printmaking, aligning the piece with the broader aesthetic concerns of the period.
History & Provenance
The work entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings after its acquisition by the institution, though specific details of its earlier ownership remain sparse. Its presence in a major American museum underscores Whistler’s continued relevance in collections focused on late‑19th‑century print media.
Context
While not directly linked to Impressionism, the print shares the movement’s interest in everyday moments and the fleeting effects of light. Whistler’s focus on a solitary, industrious figure within an ordinary interior reflects a broader turn toward depicting the quiet, contemplative aspects of modern life during the 1890s.
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.
Arrangement in Black, No. 3: Sir Henry Irving as Philip II of Spain
Arrangement in Flesh Colour and Black: Portrait of Theodore Duret
Gold and Brown: Self-Portrait
Edward Guthrie Kennedy
Harmony in Yellow and Gold: The Gold Girl—Connie Gilchrist
George W. Vanderbilt
Symphony in White, No. 1: The White Girl
Henry Irving as Philip II of Spain
