Riva, No. 2 1878 - 1880

Curator: Welcome. We're looking at James Abbott McNeill Whistler's etching, "Riva, No. 2," created between 1878 and 1880, part of his Venetian series. Editor: Oh, it's delicate, almost like a whisper of Venice. Look at that dreamy haziness. So understated, it could be mistaken for a mere sketch. It makes you want to sigh contentedly. Curator: Indeed. Whistler approached Venice as a tabula rasa. Tourism had reshaped Venice, so he aimed to capture the city beyond popular romantic views, choosing instead its overlooked corners and everyday life. Editor: I can see that. It's definitely not your typical postcard Venice. More grit, less gondola serenade. There's a truth in the lines here, not perfection, and it shows life isn't a polished stage. Curator: His Venetian series, which includes "Riva, No. 2," served as both a means to reclaim artistic independence and a commentary on the commodification of culture, revealing Venice through his uniquely subtle lens. Editor: Ah, the rebel yell! But expressed with a quiet nib, not a shout. Seriously, the light here...It is remarkable for a few strokes, which seems like less is so much more. How did he catch Venice just resting like that? Curator: Whistler employed a technique of selective wiping of ink from the plate, achieving atmospheric effects and tonal subtleties unusual for etchings of the time, which contributes to its sense of immediacy. Editor: That makes perfect sense. You almost feel the dampness in the air and see the gondolas knocking, gently, next to the little crowds of people standing near the front, where I'm at. Curator: His ability to merge acute observation with a reductive approach is quite masterful. It reflects Whistler’s wider aestheticism, which championed “art for art’s sake,” separating it from moral or narrative burdens. Editor: I love how it captures the everyday hustle. No gods or heroes here—just the beauty in ordinary moments. Venice, but normal. Sort of. I wonder if he was just wandering with that plate and acid bottle... Curator: Ultimately, this little print challenges prevailing views on Venice, showing a side of its real identity away from a romantic perception created for and by popular culture. Editor: Looking at "Riva, No. 2", I see Venice peeled back, revealed—gorgeous and a bit imperfect. Cheers to the art of seeing past the glitz and glimmer!