Skip to main contentProvenanceThe artist
Rosalind Birnie Philip
University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland (bequest by Rosalind Birnie Philip)
Davis & Langdale Company, Inc., New York, New York
Daniel J. Terra Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1985
Terra Foundation for the Arts Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1992
Exhibition HistoryPublished References
James Abbott McNeill Whistler
(American, 1834–1903)
San Biagio
1879–80
Etching and drypoint on tan laid paper
Plate: 8 1/4 x 11 15/16 in. (21 x 30.3 cm)
Credit LineTerra Foundation for American Art, Daniel J. Terra Collection
Object number1992.157
SignedLower left margin with Whistler butterfly monogram and "imp"; signed left center edge of plate with Whistler butterfly monogram
InterpretationJames McNeill Whistler's etching San Biagio presents a glimpse of the San Biagio district of Venice in a composition structured by a monumental arched passageway offering a glimpse of the building-lined calle (street). Grounded boats at the water's edge, laundry hanging to dry, and locals going about their daily activities define the working-class character of the neighborhood, located east of the Riva degli Schiavoni near the Arsenale shipyards, not far from Whistler's residence at Casa Jankowitz. Whistler evoked the textural qualities of the balcony, shuttered windows, and timeworn stones of the large edifice facing the waterfront. He also tackled the compositional challenge of representing space receding from the foreground shore through a shadowy tunnel to a sunlit thoroughfare, crowned by a pair of cylindrical chimneys, in the background. As part of the etching, Whistler accented the left side of the composition with his stylized butterfly monogram signature.
Along with Beggars (TF 1994.8) and Doorway and Vine (TF 1992.149), San Biagio is one of several etchings in which Whistler focused on the passageways and doorways he encountered during his rambles through Venice while he worked there between September 1879 and November 1880. This print was shown with other Venice etchings in Whistler's celebrated 1883 exhibition at London's Fine Art Society. San Biagio was subsequently published in 1886 as part of "A Set of Twenty-Six Etchings," also known as the "Second Venice Set."
Along with Beggars (TF 1994.8) and Doorway and Vine (TF 1992.149), San Biagio is one of several etchings in which Whistler focused on the passageways and doorways he encountered during his rambles through Venice while he worked there between September 1879 and November 1880. This print was shown with other Venice etchings in Whistler's celebrated 1883 exhibition at London's Fine Art Society. San Biagio was subsequently published in 1886 as part of "A Set of Twenty-Six Etchings," also known as the "Second Venice Set."
Rosalind Birnie Philip
University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland (bequest by Rosalind Birnie Philip)
Davis & Langdale Company, Inc., New York, New York
Daniel J. Terra Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1985
Terra Foundation for the Arts Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1992
Exhibition History
King's Lynn, no. 14
The Venetian Scene, Fermoy Art Gallery, King's Lynn, 1984, no. 17.
An American Revelation: The Daniel J. Terra Collection, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, February 28–October 1, 1988.
Regard sur James Abbott McNeill Whistler (James Abbott McNeill Whistler at a Glance), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 1–October 30, 1994.
American Treasures: Chase, Whistler, and the Prendergasts, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, April 26, 1996–January 5, 1997.
Collection Cameo, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, June 1998.
A Place on the Avenue: Terra Museum of American Art Celebrates 15 Years in Chicago, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, November 16, 2002–February 16, 2003 (on exhibit extended run: November 2, 2002–March 2, 2003).
Modern Harmonies: Whistler Reflects on his Art, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, May 31–August 31, 2003.
Prendergast in Italy, Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, Massachusetts, July 18–September 20, 2009; The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, October 9, 2009–January 3, 2010; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas, February 14–May 9, 2010. [exh. cat.]
The Venetian Scene, Fermoy Art Gallery, King's Lynn, 1984, no. 17.
An American Revelation: The Daniel J. Terra Collection, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, February 28–October 1, 1988.
Regard sur James Abbott McNeill Whistler (James Abbott McNeill Whistler at a Glance), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 1–October 30, 1994.
American Treasures: Chase, Whistler, and the Prendergasts, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, April 26, 1996–January 5, 1997.
Collection Cameo, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, June 1998.
A Place on the Avenue: Terra Museum of American Art Celebrates 15 Years in Chicago, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, November 16, 2002–February 16, 2003 (on exhibit extended run: November 2, 2002–March 2, 2003).
Modern Harmonies: Whistler Reflects on his Art, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, May 31–August 31, 2003.
Prendergast in Italy, Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, Massachusetts, July 18–September 20, 2009; The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, October 9, 2009–January 3, 2010; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas, February 14–May 9, 2010. [exh. cat.]
Kennedy, Edward Guthrie. The Etched Work of Whistler. Illustrated by reproductions in collotype of the different states of the plates. New York: Grolier Club, 1910. No. 197 ix/ix.
Lochnan, Katharine A. The Etchings of James McNeill Whistler. New Haven, Connecticut and London, England: Art Gallery of Ontario and Yale University Press, 1984. No. 193.
Dorment, Richard and Margaret F. MacDonald et al. James McNeill Whistler. (exh. cat., Tate Gallery). London, England: Tate Gallery, 1994. No. 107, pp. 186–87 (K.197 vii/ix).
San Biagio, James Abbott McNeill Whistler. Collection Cameo sheet, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, June 1998. Ill. (black & white). [specific reference to Terra print]
Lochnan, Katharine A. The Etchings of James McNeill Whistler. New Haven, Connecticut and London, England: Art Gallery of Ontario and Yale University Press, 1984. No. 193.
Dorment, Richard and Margaret F. MacDonald et al. James McNeill Whistler. (exh. cat., Tate Gallery). London, England: Tate Gallery, 1994. No. 107, pp. 186–87 (K.197 vii/ix).
San Biagio, James Abbott McNeill Whistler. Collection Cameo sheet, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, June 1998. Ill. (black & white). [specific reference to Terra print]