James McNeill Whistler (Lowell, Massachusetts, 1834 - 1903, London, England)
The Two Ships, 1861
Etching and drypoint on laid paper, 20.8 x 13.3 cm (8 3/16 x 5 1/4 in.)
This is a vertical etching of two large square- rigged ships, sitting side by side at a dock. They are set against an expanse of a flat paper colored sky. Half way down, on the right edge of this etching is a dock, indicated with only a few vertical and horizontal lines and a bit of shading. Immediately to the left, are the two massive vessels with tall masts and multiple cross rigging. There are images of figures on the dock and a few in each boat. On the lower right, a small empty row boat rests against the ship furthest from the dock. In the distance, there are fragmentary and unfinished buildings that form a sort of frieze, separating the land from the water. There is a drawing of a small butterfly on the bottom right, a signature of the artist, James McNeil Whistler.
Short Gallery
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.