Artwork
Agnes
Agnes is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Agnes is a drypoint print by James McNeill Whistler, created circa 1874 on laid paper. It exemplifies the artist's refined approach to printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a woman standing in a long dress and hat, with her hair pulled back and hands clasped. The loose, quick lines convey a sense of softness and movement, capturing a fleeting moment.
Technique & Style
Whistler employed drypoint technique, using black lines on a light background to create shadows and shapes. The resulting image has a fuzzy quality, suggesting a rapid execution.
Context
This work reflects Whistler's emphasis on aesthetic refinement, aligning with his 'art for art's sake' principle, which prioritized visual beauty over narrative or moral content.
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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