Artwork
Landscape with Horses
Landscape with Horses is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Landscape with Horses is an etching on laid paper created by James McNeill Whistler in 1859. It exemplifies the artist's early experimentation with printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a serene rural scene with horses grazing near a small house and barn. A fence and figures are also present, rendered in simple, expressive lines. The scene conveys a sense of tranquility and everyday life.
Technique & Style
Whistler employed rapid, sketchy strokes to capture the effects of light and movement, particularly in the trees and grass. This approach was innovative for its time, showcasing the artist's evolving style and technical skill in etching.
History & Provenance
The work reflects Whistler's early career engagement with printmaking, a medium he explored alongside oil painting and watercolor. His distinctive 'butterfly' signature, which appeared in later works, began to take shape during this period.
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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