Upright Venice 1879 - 1880

Curator: This is James Abbott McNeill Whistler's "Upright Venice," an etching and drypoint created between 1879 and 1880. Whistler produced a series of Venetian scenes that capture the city's atmosphere. Editor: It feels incredibly intimate. Like stumbling upon a half-forgotten memory. The lines are so delicate, almost ghostly. It's there, but it's also fading. A whispered secret of a city. Curator: That impression of immediacy is deliberate. Whistler aimed to challenge the established artistic conventions. Etchings like these were radical for their time, portraying everyday life rather than grand historical themes. The art world pushed back against the shift towards ordinary life as artistic subject matter. Editor: So it's like he grabbed Venice by the collar, shook off all the postcard glitter, and said, "Show me what's real." Look at those figures in the foreground! Just regular folks, hanging about, going about their lives. Curator: Precisely! Whistler’s Venetian series coincided with his legal troubles and near-bankruptcy, shifting art-world dynamics. The commissioned works were meant to generate income and solidify his reputation following the libel trial. Editor: Art out of adversity. Isn’t that often the way? There is a slight sense of a financial incentive pushing through this artwork. The textures… the way he renders the water… it’s almost like a sketch. You feel the hand of the artist, trying to grab that fleeting light and mood. The way the lines create a sense of depth, and how he frames the broader vista is stunning. You are invited in by the personal lives of working folk, but reminded of a world opening beyond the street, water, and gondolas. Curator: He saw beauty where others overlooked it, elevating the mundane through technique and observation. This perspective became an enduring part of Impressionism and artistic modernism, emphasizing personal vision. Editor: Looking at "Upright Venice", you do not feel a longing for what could be in Venice. You see Venice. Thank you. Curator: It reminds me to re-evaluate everyday subjects for extraordinary art. Thank you.