Artwork
Upright Venice
Upright Venice 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
Upright Venice is a print created by James McNeill Whistler in 1880, using etching and drypoint techniques on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a loose, impressionistic view of Venice's skyline, with tall buildings, domes, and boats in the water, set against a dynamic sky. The composition prioritizes atmosphere and visual effect over narrative content.
Technique & Style
Whistler employed drypoint to create thin, fuzzy lines by scratching into the metal plate, allowing ink to accumulate in the grooves and giving the print a soft, sketchy appearance. The etching technique was used in conjunction with drypoint to achieve the desired visual effects.
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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