Artwork preview

Variations in Violet and Grey—Market Place, Dieppe

James McNeill Whistler

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

A watercolor painting depicts a bustling outdoor marketplace. The scene is set in a European-style town with beige and tan buildings in the background. The buildings have multiple stories, windows, and varying roof shapes and colors. The market square is filled with people, mostly dressed in dark clothing with some umbrellas present. A woman in a blue dress and white head covering stands prominently in the foreground with a basket. People are scattered throughout the square, some standing still and others walking. Several blue umbrellas are open. The color palette features muted shades of violet and grey tones predominantly. The overall atmosphere appears busy and lively, capturing a moment in a crowded market square.

Artwork details

Date:
1885
Medium:
Gouache and watercolor on off-white wove paper, mounted on academy board
Culture:
American
Dimensions:
370 × 623 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette