The Steps, Luxemburg Gardens, Paris c. 1893

"The Steps, Luxemburg Gardens, Paris" is a c. 1893 drawing by American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler. Whistler's evocative, atmospheric style is apparent in this piece, which depicts a woman and a young child walking up a set of stairs in the Luxembourg Gardens, Paris. Whistler's use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and space. The viewer can feel the cool breeze and the quiet of the gardens. His use of simple lines to depict the figures creates a sense of movement, while the sparsely rendered background emphasizes the overall composition. This drawing is a testament to Whistler's skill in capturing fleeting moments of everyday life with great sensitivity.