Street at Saverne

James McNeill Whistler

1858 · Etching; fourth state of four (Glasgow), printed in black ink on machine-made cream laid paper · Drawings and Prints

After visiting the Alsatian town of Saverne in the summer of 1858, Whistler produced his first etched "Nocturne." Sharp recession heightens the irregular forms of old buildings, with a gas lantern hanging at right casting deep shadows. Whistler included this work in his first published set, "Douze eaux-fortes d’après nature" (Twelve Etchings from Nature), which he always referred to as the "French Set." This is a later reissue with the printer's name removed.

Artist

James McNeill Whistler

Date

1858

Medium

Etching; fourth state of four (Glasgow), printed in black ink on machine-made cream laid paper

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of David Keppel, 1917