Artwork
Soupe à Trois Sous (Soup for three sous [pennies])
![Soupe à Trois Sous (Soup for three sous [pennies]), by James McNeill Whistler, ink, 1859](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/james-mcneill-whistler--soupe-a-trois-sous-soup-for-three-sous-pennies--2346a97cdbb9d5e9-w1024.webp)
Soupe à Trois Sous (Soup for three sous [pennies]) 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
Soupe à Trois Sous is an etching on Japanese laid paper created by James McNeill Whistler in 1859. It is a print that showcases the artist's skill in rendering a simple scene with refined technique.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a woman eating soup in a modest Parisian setting, with the figure being the primary focus of the composition. The scene is straightforward, with no overt narrative or emotional content.
Technique & Style
Whistler employed fine, delicate lines and shading to create depth in the scene, a technique common in 19th-century printmaking. The use of Japanese laid paper reflects his preference for high-quality materials and attention to technical detail.
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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