Little Venice

A significant figure in the history of printmaking, Whistler was a prolific etcher. Although the lure of fame and greater compensation attracted him to painting, his work in etching established his early career. Profoundly influenced by the etchings of Rembrandt and other 17th-century Dutch masters, Whistler made series of etchings based on his travels in Europe.

In 1879, he was commissioned by the Fine Art Society in London to produce a set of etchings of Venice, where he stayed for more than a year. Little Venice, an early proof impression, is a view of the city from an island in the lagoon; its final state served as the first plate of his “Venice Set” exhibited in 1880.

Whistler’s depiction of familiar monuments transcends typical hackneyed touristic renderings. Although based on observation, his portrayal exceeds mere transcription. Instead, he conveyed wide expanses of sky and water through subtle tonal variations and selective etched marks, creating a recognizable view transformed by the manner in which he depicted it.