The Venetian Mast 1879 - 1880

"The Venetian Mast" is an etching created by the American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler in 1879-1880. The artwork depicts a narrow Venetian street lined with buildings, featuring a tall mast in the center. The scene is rendered in delicate lines, highlighting the atmospheric quality of the city. Whistler's use of tonal variation and simplified forms creates a sense of depth and perspective. The figures in the foreground, sitting by the canal, add a human element to the composition, providing a glimpse into daily life in Venice. Whistler's mastery of etching is evident in the subtle gradations of light and shadow, which contribute to the overall aesthetic impact of the artwork.