Long Venice
1879-1880
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1898.400
Tags
About this artwork
3, 5
Art Historical Context
James McNeill Whistler, a leading figure in the Aesthetic movement and champion of "art for art's sake created *Long Venice* during his stay in Venice from 1879 to 1880. This etching captures the city's evocative essence—its shimmering waterways, distant boats, and hazy urban silhouettes—through Whistler's masterful use of subtle lines and tonal gradations. Produced as part of his acclaimed Venice etchings series, the print reflects his fascination with atmospheric effects, drawing inspiration from Japanese prints and the fleeting play of light on water. Whistler's etching technique revolutio...