Accession Number
2008/2.439

Title
The Venetian Mast, from "Twelve Etchings" or "First Venice Set"

Artist(s)
James Abbott McNeill Whistler

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Medium & Support
etching and drypoint on beige laid paper

Dimensions
21 7/16 in. x 14 1/4 in. x 15/16 in. ( 54.5 cm x 36.2 cm x 2.4 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Ruth W. and Clarence J. Boldt, Jr.

Subject matter
Whistler often portrayed areas that were disappearing in the urban settings; that is the case with this area near Santa Marta in Venice. Shortly after Whistler returned to London from Italy, this district was demolished to allow construction of a cotton factory. The vertical format and the way that the mast is used to divide the composition recall The Tall Bridge and are evidence of the influence of Japanese art on Whistler.

Physical Description
A group of figures are seated at the lower right. Beyond is an open street or piazza with a flagpole in the middle and in the far distance are the rigging and masts of ships.
Paper trimmed at plate line; except small tab at lower left with inscription. Paper size: lh 34cm & rh 33 4/5cm x tw 16cm & bw 16 3/10cm.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
intaglio print

Rights
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Keywords
cityscapes (representations)
drypoint (printing process)
drypoints (prints)
etching (printing process)
etchings (prints)