Artwork

Le Boulevard Poissoniere

Le Boulevard Poissoniere, by James McNeill Whistler, ink, 1893
Le Boulevard Poissoniere, by James McNeill Whistler, ink, 1893

Le Boulevard Poissoniere is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Le Boulevard Poissoniere is an etching on laid paper created by James McNeill Whistler in 1893. It depicts a Parisian street scene with a mix of everyday activities and architectural details.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures a busy street scene, with people engaged in various activities and old, worn buildings in the background. The image conveys a sense of observational clarity, focusing on the mundane aspects of urban life.

Technique & Style

Whistler employed the etching technique, scratching lines into a metal plate to create the image. The resulting print features fine, delicate lines and subtle tonal contrasts, characteristic of Whistler's style and the Aesthetic Movement's emphasis on refined detail.

History & Provenance

Whistler, an American expatriate, worked primarily in the United Kingdom during the late 19th century. Le Boulevard Poissoniere is a product of his mature period, reflecting his established approach to composition and printmaking.

Artist & collection

Portrait of James McNeill Whistler

Artist

James McNeill Whistler

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.