The Steps 1880

"The Steps" (1880) is a pastel drawing by American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler. The composition features a group of figures in various poses, seemingly situated on steps leading down to a body of water. Whistler's signature use of muted tones and soft lines are prevalent in this work, with the figures rendered in a loose and suggestive manner. The overall effect is one of quiet observation, capturing a fleeting moment of everyday life in an evocative and impressionistic style.