Floor plan

Style galleriesThe Etching Revival

The Etching Revival

Our Army before Yorktown, Virginia, from Harper's Weekly, May 3, 1862, by Winslow Homer, 1862
The image depicts a landscape with towering rock formations dominating the scene. The ground is rugged and textured, leading the eye towards the rock pillars in the center. A structure or building is perched atop one of these rocks. The background shows the horizon above the structure, with clouds and sky stretching out beyond. The artwork features detailed brushstrokes adding texture to the rocks. The color palette is monochromatic with varying shades of charcoal or ink, emphasizing the contrast between the rocks and the sky.
The image shows a landscape with a valley leading towards two mountain peaks known as the Peaks of Otter. The horizon is low, with the mountains dominating the scene. The brushwork is smooth and delicate, and the color palette consists of muted earth tones, greens, and soft blues. In the foreground, there are cattle grazing in a field with a wooden fence, and a couple of houses among trees to the left. Further back, there are open fields with horses and agricultural activities, leading to a dense tree line at the base of the mountains.
The Fan Tree, by Ernest Haskell, ca. 1915

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

Artists who took up the etching needle again, from Whistler to the Paris printmakers.

Section 1, north wall

  1. Our Army before Yorktown, Virginia, from Harper's Weekly, May 3, 1862, by Winslow Homer, 1862
    Our Army before Yorktown, Virginia, from Harper's Weekly, May 3, 1862Winslow Homer, 1862Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
  2. The image depicts a landscape with towering rock formations dominating the scene. The ground is rugged and textured, leading the eye towards the rock pillars in the center. A structure or building is perched atop one of these rocks. The background shows the horizon above the structure, with clouds and sky stretching out beyond. The artwork features detailed brushstrokes adding texture to the rocks. The color palette is monochromatic with varying shades of charcoal or ink, emphasizing the contrast between the rocks and the sky.
    The Cliffs of the TrinityJoseph Pennell, 1913Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 1, south wall

  1. The image shows a landscape with a valley leading towards two mountain peaks known as the Peaks of Otter. The horizon is low, with the mountains dominating the scene. The brushwork is smooth and delicate, and the color palette consists of muted earth tones, greens, and soft blues. In the foreground, there are cattle grazing in a field with a wooden fence, and a couple of houses among trees to the left. Further back, there are open fields with horses and agricultural activities, leading to a dense tree line at the base of the mountains.
    View of the Peaks of OtterWoldemar Rau, 1858Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The Fan Tree, by Ernest Haskell, ca. 1915
    The Fan TreeErnest Haskell, ca. 1915Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Section 2, south wall

  1. The image shows a residential area with barren trees, rooftops of houses, and people walking along fences. The trees sway in the wind, their branches extending in various directions. The scene is depicted in a monochromatic black and white style, with expressive lines creating a sense of movement and a sketch-like quality. The horizon is high, showing rooftops and the sun above it.
    LandscapeTheo von BrockhusenCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The Creation, by Kálmán Kubinyi, before 1927
    The CreationKálmán Kubinyi, before 1927Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  3. A work made of drypoint with light plate tone on thin ivory japanese paper.
    Whistler with a HatJames McNeill Whistler, 1859Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 2, north wall

  1. A work made of etching and drypoint in brown on cream laid paper.
    Nocturne, from Venice, a Series of Twelve Etchings (the "First Venice Set")James McNeill Whistler, 1879–80Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. A work made of color lithograph on paper.
    The Old ViolinWilliam Michael Harnett, 1887Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 3, north wall

  1. The Coolest Spot in New England--Summit of Mount Washington, from Harper's Bazar, July 23, 1870, by Winslow Homer, 1870
    The Coolest Spot in New England--Summit of Mount Washington, from Harper's Bazar, July 23, 1870Winslow Homer, 1870Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
  2. Lady with the Lute, by Henry Wolf, 1909
    Lady with the LuteHenry Wolf, 1909Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
  3. The Stranger, by Albert Sterner, 1916
    The StrangerAlbert Sterner, 1916Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Section 3, south wall

  1. In proof of true love, a watercarrier skeleton arguing with a woman (Posada); two skeleton angels in upper corners (Manilla), by José Guadalupe Posada, ca. 1890–96
    In proof of true love, a watercarrier skeleton arguing with a woman (Posada); two skeleton angels in upper corners (Manilla)José Guadalupe Posada, ca. 1890–96Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Portrait of Mrs. C--, by Henry Wolf, 1894
    Portrait of Mrs. C--Henry Wolf, 1894Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Section 4, south wall

  1. The image displays a harbor filled with boats and ships. The perspective is slightly elevated, likely from a dock, with a partially visible boat and dock at the forefront. The horizon is in the upper third of the image, showing a distant cityscape with spires and structures. The brushwork is delicate, with fine, linear strokes typical of etching. The color palette is monochromatic, sepia tones creating a vintage and serene mood. The ships with tall masts populate the water, with reflections giving a sense of stillness. In the distance, faint impressions of buildings line the harbor, blending into the horizon.
    San GiorgioJames McNeill Whistler, 1880Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. This print displays a landscape with a wide view of flat land stretching towards the horizon. The ground is covered in small black dots, with some bare patches in the bottom center. A few silhouetted trees and a hint of smoke coming up from behind some rocks are visible in the distance. The gray sky dominates the scene with soft, swirling clouds.
    LowlandsTimothy Cole, 1918Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington