Rag Pickers, Quartier Mouffetard, Paris 1858

This etching, "Rag Pickers, Quartier Mouffetard, Paris" by James Abbott McNeill Whistler, captures the essence of Parisian street life in the 19th century. Created in 1858, the artwork depicts the figures of rag pickers, their forms barely visible against the shadowy background of the Parisian streets. Whistler, known for his innovative use of light and shadow, masterfully utilizes these elements to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. The etching also showcases Whistler's early interest in capturing the everyday life of ordinary people, themes he would further develop in his later works.