James Abbott McNeill Whistler (AMERICAN, 1834-1903)
The Tiny Pool
Etching and drypoint on cream wove paper
1876-78
Dimensions: 3 7/8 x 2 5/8 inches (9 3/4 x 6 1/2 cm)
MacDonald's third state (of 3), with Whistler's almost imperceptible butterfly signature
Kennedy 173; Glasgow 167
Pale mat burn outside of the plate mark in the margins
A comparable art market value for this print can be found at Swann Galleries New York for $1,200
Contact department for full condition report

“The Tiny Pool” by James A.M. Whistler depicts a view of the Thames at the furthest point large sailing and steam ships could get up the river. A highly skilled printmaker who was able to express the atmosphere of a scene with only a few marks, Whistler made this print between 1876 and 1878. This print was the first of his etchings of the Pool of London. His prints of the river are recognized as a valuable record of a London that was on the brink of tremendous change.

This etching and drypoint measures 3 7/8 x 2 5/8 inches. Aside from a pale mat burn outsisde of the plate mark in the margins, the work is in overall good condition.

James A.M. Whistler (AMERICAN, 1834-1903)

James Whistler was born in 1834 in Lowell, Massachusetts. At a young age, Whistler was taken to Russia where he enrolled at the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts. Whistler, however, did not pursue a career in art until he was dismissed from the United States Military Academy and had several failed jobs in the U.S. military. In 1955 Whistler moved to France, where he was introduced to artists such as Gustave Courbet and Edouard Manet. Whistler’s first works were highly influenced by realism. After a trip to Chile, he composed his famous nocturnes. He also began to rename many of his pieces with musical names. In addition to his paintings, Whistler also produced a number of lithographs and etchings.