Read the visual description
The image shows a sketch of a view overlooking a river or body of water. The horizon is in the upper third, with a faint cityscape outline in the distance. Several figures are drawn standing in a relaxed manner near the water. Delicate pencil lines outline the figures and structures, creating a light and understated visual impact.
National Gallery of Art · Print
A Sketch of the Embankment
James McNeill Whistler
- Date
- c. 1884/1886
- Medium
- etching in brown on laid paper
- Dimensions
- overall (trimmed to plate): 4.5 × 13.8 cm (1 3/4 × 5 7/16 in.)
- Classification
- Accession number
- 1949.5.267
- Credit line
- Rosenwald Collection
- Time span
- 1876 to 1900
- Department
- CG-W
Subjects and terms
- American
- Dog
- child
- portrait
- Building
- Figures
Provenance
Howard Mansfield [1849-1938], New York, (Lugt 1342); acquired by Harris Whittemore [1864-1927], Naugatuck, CT, 1919; (his sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 18 January 1949, lot 301); (Charles Sessler, Philadelphia, PA); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald, Jenkintown, PA, 1949; gift to the NGA, 1949.
Inscription
on plate: (butterfly)
Watermarks
none
NGA object ID 36721. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.