Artwork preview

Free Trade Wharf

James McNeill Whistler

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a dock or waterfront scene from a high viewpoint. The horizon is in the middle of the composition, where the sea meets buildings and ships. The detailed lines suggest an etching style, with cross-hatching creating depth. Masts of sailing ships are on the left, and warehouses are on the right. The color palette is monochromatic. In the foreground, there is a rowboat with a figure and another boat tied to the dock. The scene conveys a sense of trade or shipyard activity.

Artwork Details

Date
1877
Medium
etching and drypoint on Japanese paper
Dimensions
5290 × 2826 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette