The mast

James Mcneil Whistler
Lowell 1834 - London 1903
The mast
1879-80
Etching and Drypoint
335 x 164 mm

Kennedy n. 195 VI /VI; Glasgow 219

Series: First Venice Set


A very fine atmospheric impression of this rare image, printed in black ink with the surface tone on 19th century laid paper with Strasburg Lily watermark. Signed with the butterfly in the image and annotated imp on the tab in pencil by Whistler.

Whistler printed the etchings himself, as indicate by the addition imp.

In pristine condition.

From the Series Venice Whistler Twelve Etching published in 1880 by The Fine Art Society in London.

This charming view is described in the catalogue raisonné of Whistler’s etchings at the University of Glasgow, 2012, see no. 219.

The artist returned in London with paintings, pastels and more than forty etchings. From these prints, The Fine Art Society chose twelve etchings that were published as a set in the same year.

In this early Venice etching the influence of the Japanese print is very evident.