Artwork preview

The Little Lagoon

James McNeill Whistler

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a distance view overlooking a body of water with small boats. The horizon line is positioned around the upper third of the image, showing a faint outline of land and larger ships in the distance. The delicate style features fine, sketch-like brown lines defining the elements such as boats and ripples on the water. Near us, a couple of slender posts protrude from the water, while a small boat glides by with individuals rowing. In the background, there is a soft transition into land and sky. The color palette is muted and monochromatic, mainly tan and brown tones, creating a serene visual impact.

Artwork Details

Date
1879/1880
Medium
etching and drypoint on laid paper
Dimensions
3231 × 4835 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette