Two Doorways
Medium
etching and drypoint in brownish-black ink on laid paper
Classification
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1943.3.8526
Art Historical Context
James McNeill Whistler’s *Two Doorways* (1880) is a captivating etching and drypoint in brownish-black ink on laid, showcasing the artist’s mastery of printmaking. Whistler, an American-born painter and printmaker who thrived in Britain, was key figure in the Aesthetic, championing “art for art’s sake with his emphasis on harmony, tone, and subtle beauty over narrative detail. This work, part of the National Gallery of Art’swald Collection, exemplifies his urban architectural interests during a prolific period of experimentation in the late 19th century. Created through etching—where acid bit...
About the Artist
James McNeill Whistler · 1834–1903
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) was an American-born painter and printmaker who became a leading figure in the Aesthetic Movement and pioneer of Tonalism and Japonisme. He revolutionized art by championing "art for art's sake" and treating paintings as visual equivalents of musical compositions, titling works as "arrangements," "harmonies," and "nocturnes" to emphasize formal qualities o...