The Fishing Boat (1879-1880)

This page presents "The Fishing Boat" (1879-1880), created by James Abbott McNeill Whistler. About the period around 1879-1880: The later nineteenth century is the era of Impressionism, whose first group exhibition was held in Paris in 1874, followed by Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, and the Arts and Crafts movement. Japanese prints reached Europe in large numbers and influenced many artists, while photography changed what painting needed to do. Drawings, a short history: Artists have long used drawings to plan paintings, sculptures, and buildings, so a sketch can show how an idea developed. Because line carries so much of the effect, drawings tend to reward close looking at the quality of the mark. The catalogue places it in Drawings. The format is landscape.

"The Fishing Boat" is shown in the onlly.art catalogue for reference and browsing. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Drawings and sketches stand out through line clarity and a sense of the artist process, which makes them a natural fit for minimalist, monochrome, and graphic interiors. Browsing works by the same artist, or from the same period, is a good way to compare styles before choosing what suits your space.

American, 1834–1903

If you like the visual language of James Abbott McNeill Whistler, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.