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Islands: Evening

Impression: Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago
(1927.1671)
Number: 204
Date: 1879/1880
Medium: drypoint
Size: 128 x 205 mm
Signed: no
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: no
No. of States: 4
Known impressions: 5
Catalogues: K.222; M.219; W.193
Impressions taken from this plate  (5)

KEYWORD

gondola, island, panorama, sea.

TITLE

Minor variations in the title are as follows:


'Islands evening' (1882, Whistler) 1
'Islands' (1883, Fine Art Society). 2
'Islands' (1886, Frederick Wedmore (1844-1921)). 3
'Islands Venice' (1890/1892, Beatrice Whistler (1857-1896)). 4


'Islands: Evening' is based on Whistler's original title with added punctuation.

1: 8 August 1882, GUW #12290.

2: London FAS 1883 (cat. no. 25).

3: Wedmore 1886 A[more] (cat. no. 193).

4: List, [1890/1892], GUW #12715.

DESCRIPTION

On the still waters of the lagoon is a gondola outlined roughly. There are two poles (briccoli) in the water at right, marking routes across the lagoon. On the horizon is a panoramic view of the campanili and domes of Venice. To left of centre, between two tall bell-towers there are two fishing boats with sails spread. The city and boats reflect on the still waters of the lagoon.

SITE

A panoramic view of Venice, Italy, from the island of the Lido, the view being similar to The Little Venice 238, with the campanili of San Marco and San Giorgio Maggiore on the left and the Redentore, the Zitelle, Santa Maria della Salute, and the Giudecca to right. The view, drawn directly by the artist on site, appears in reverse in the print.

DISCUSSION

This is one of several panoramas of Venice, including The Little Venice 238, Long Lagoon 215, Upright Venice 232 and Long Venice 211.