Artwork
Fishing-Boat
Fishing-Boat is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Fishing-Boat is an 1880 etching and drypoint print on laid paper by James McNeill Whistler, a versatile artist known for his work across oils, watercolor, and printmaking, primarily based in the UK during the American Gilded Age.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene, calm scene of a moored fishing boat with lowered sails, set against a reflective water body and a subtle, depth-adding background of buildings. The composition conveys tranquility.
Technique & Style
Whistler employed etching and drypoint to achieve textured depth. Dark, expressive lines and nuanced shading characterize the work, reflecting his emphasis on refined technique over sentimentality.
History & Provenance
Created in 1880, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
While Whistler's style in this piece may resonate with Impressionist and Realist sensibilities, it is distinct in its technical precision and calm, reflective atmosphere, typical of his approach during this period.
Legacy
Fishing-Boat represents a notable example of Whistler's printmaking skill, encouraging exploration of his broader oeuvre among fans of late 19th-century European and American art movements.
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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