Floor plan

Style galleriesThe Etching Revival

The Etching Revival

Nocturne: Palaces, by James McNeill Whistler, 1879–80
Nocturne (Nocturne: The Thames at Battersea), by James McNeill Whistler, 1878
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.
A work made of transfer lithograph in black, with stumping and scraping, on cream laid paper, laid down on a heavy backing sheet.

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. Nocturne: Palaces, by James McNeill Whistler, 1879–80
    Nocturne: PalacesJames McNeill Whistler, 1879–80Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Nocturne (Nocturne: The Thames at Battersea), by James McNeill Whistler, 1878
    Nocturne (Nocturne: The Thames at Battersea)James McNeill Whistler, 1878Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Section 1, 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. A work made of transfer lithograph in black, with stumping and scraping, on cream laid paper, laid down on a heavy backing sheet.
    La Belle JardinièreJames McNeill Whistler, 1894Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 2, south wall

  1. The Frugal Meal, by Pablo Picasso, September 1904, printed 1913
    The Frugal MealPablo Picasso, September 1904, printed 1913Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. The image depicts a landscape seen from a slightly elevated perspective, with a tranquil scene. The horizon is high in the composition, showing a vast view. There are a few distant trees and silhouettes blending into the sky. The brushstrokes are expressive and fluid, with a sketch-like quality depicting texture and movement in the trees and ground. The color palette is primarily monochrome, using shades of black and grey. Near the viewer, there are low plants and shrubs on sandy ground, leading to a small body of water reflecting dense trees. In the distance, the landscape becomes more open and sparse towards the horizon.
    Cape Ann WillowsCharles A. Platt, 1887Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image shows a village scene viewed from a low vantage point near a water's edge. A row of small, closely packed buildings and a church with an onion-shaped dome are prominently featured. There are gentle slopes leading towards the structures. The image uses fine, detailed line work to depict texture and depth in the buildings and natural landscape. The lines are delicate and varied, creating a sense of detail and softness. The color palette is monochromatic, with dark ink on a pale background, resulting in a classic and timeless feel.
    SchwabelweissOtto Henry Bacher, 1879Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, north wall

  1. Bastille Day, by Maurice Prendergast, 1892
    Bastille DayMaurice Prendergast, 1892Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. A work made of photogravure in dark brown retouched with soft varnish (vernis mou), roulette and blue handcoloring on thick cream wove paper.
    Modern MasksFélicien Rops, 1889Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  3. Head of an Old Man, by Kerr Eby, ca. 1918
    Head of an Old ManKerr Eby, ca. 1918Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Section 3, north wall

  1. At the Café, by Édouard Manet, 1874
    At the CaféÉdouard Manet, 1874Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. Business Men's Class, by George Bellows, 1916
    Business Men's ClassGeorge Bellows, 1916Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Section 3, south wall

  1. The Fan Tree, by Ernest Haskell, ca. 1915
    The Fan TreeErnest Haskell, ca. 1915Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
  2. The image features a large building with a domed tower on the right side. The horizon shows hills, trees, and the sky. The brushstrokes give detailed texture to the scene, with a focus on the landscape and architecture. The color palette is sepia-toned. A tree, fence, smaller buildings, and a figure on a path add depth and perspective to the scene.
    Mission Santa Barbara, Looking SouthHenry Chapman Ford, 1888Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 4, south wall

  1. Untitled, by Mildred McMillen, 1915
    UntitledMildred McMillen, 1915Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
  2. Evening, Melancholy I, by Edvard Munch, 1896
    Evening, Melancholy IEdvard Munch, 1896Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art