Upright Venice

James Abbot McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)

1879-80

Etching on wove paper with illegible watermark

254 x 178 mm.

Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

Signed in pencil in margin with a small butterfly and: imp; also in Whistler's hand and crossed out: 1st proof. La Salute; and: This is Upright Venice: Trial proof.

Across the Grand Canal can be seen the domes of Santa Maria della Salute. The etching is reversed. The vertical format and very high placement of the image reflect the strong influence of Japanese design on Whistler. [Commentary continued below]

  • Detail
  • Formatting by George P. Landow.

    Text from Getscher. The Stamp of Whistler, p. 72.