Artwork

Nora Quinn

Nora Quinn, by James McNeill Whistler, ink, 1868
Nora Quinn, by James McNeill Whistler, ink, 1868

Nora Quinn is an ink print by the Romanticist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Nora Quinn is an 1868 etching in dark brown on laid paper by James McNeill Whistler, created during his London period.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts a woman, Nora Quinn, as its central figure. Her facial features and attire are rendered with notable detail, while the composition eschews narrative in favor of aesthetic focus, characteristic of Whistler's artistic approach.

Technique & Style

Whistler employed a range of linework to achieve textured, tonal contrasts. Subtle shading creates depth, adding complexity to the simple yet characterful composition, exemplifying his refined printmaking technique.

History & Provenance

Produced in 1868, Nora Quinn reflects Whistler's broader printmaking practice during this time, emphasizing delicate linework and subtle tonal nuances.

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.