The Two Doorways

In this etching of a quiet scene deep within the old city of Venice, James McNeill Whistler focused on the curved corner of a building on the water's edge and its two arched doorways: a closed one with an ornate over-door grill and an open one permitting an unexpected glimpse of three dimly-seen figures on steps within a darkened interior. The most visible figure, a bearded man in profile bent over his task, is illuminated by a white patch of the unprinted paper suggesting a hidden opening to a courtyard. The Two Doorways reveals Whistler's exceptional mastery of line as he differentiated the varying textures of old masonry walls, wooden window shutters, reflections and shadows on the water's placid surface, and a dark gondola navigating its way on the narrow canal on the right. Silhouetted against a remnant of sky slotted between the buildings are such prosaic details as dangling laundry, overhanging balconies, and a cylindrical chimney.

During his Venice sojourn in 1879 and 1880, Whistler's walks through the city afforded many enchanting views of buildings flanking its numerous canals. In this case, the artist's encounter with Venetian architecture, the labyrinthine meandering canals, and the dappled effects of light reflected from the water yielded one of the finest of the Venice etchings shown in Whistler's December 1880 exhibition at the Fine Art Society, a London gallery. The Two Doorways was subsequently published as one of the "Twelve Etchings," known as the "First Venice Set," in fulfillment of the artist's commission from the Fine Art Society. Unlike the expansive view of a more public part of the city depicted inThe Riva, No. 1 (TF 1992.156), this etching offers a close look at an out-of-the-way neighborhood.

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.

Un regard américain sur Paris (An American Glance at Paris), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 11–October 31, 1997.

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.

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. 193 iii/iv.

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. 204.

McNamara, Carole and John Siewert. Whistler: Prosaic Views, Poetic Vision. (exh. cat., University of Michigan Museum of Art). Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Museum of Art, 1994. Text p. 107; ill. p. 106 (K.193 v/vi).

Grieve, Alastair. Whistler's Venice. New Haven, Connecticut and London, England: Yale University Press, 2000. Text p. 189; fig. 101.

MacDonald, Margaret F. Palaces in the Night: Whistler in Venice. Hampshire, England: Lund Humphries, 2001. Text pp. 88, 98, 128, 130; fig. 31, p. 130.