Whistler in Venice: Palaces at Night

In September 1879, the forty-five-year-old and bankrupt James McNeill Whistler boarded the Venice-bound night train in Paris. What was initially intended to be a three-month stay in the Italian city long enough to complete a set of twelve etchings stretched to fourteen months. When Whistler returned to London, he brought back over fifty magnificent etchings and a hundred pastels, far in excess of the original commission.

In her book "Palaces in the Night," Margaret F. MacDonald examines this key period in Whistler's career, exploring his unique vision of Venice and his development of the medium of etching. She reveals how the artist reestablished himself in the art world of London and Paris, turning disaster and disgrace into profit and prestige. Lavishly illustrated with some of the most beautiful and intriguing images Whistler ever produced, the book provides a fascinating account of a pivotal period in the artist's long and complicated career.

Whistler's aim was to restore both his fortune and reputation with the Venetian etchings. To this end, he included views of familiar sights like the Riva degli Schiavoni and San Marco, but he also captured quiet backwaters, secret gardens, and lantern-lit windows that did not appear in any guidebook. MacDonald shows the process by which Whistler selected, shaped, and edited his Venetian corpus, differentiating his work from that of others through his unique selection of views and compositions, as well as the expressiveness of his line and printing.

Whistler drew figures in distinctively Italian costume, each an individual, moving, gesturing, and interacting with other real people. An appendix of his letters from Venice provides an entertaining account of his time there and deepens the reader's understanding of how the city challenged and inspired him.

Overall, this book offers a compelling exploration of a crucial moment in Whistler's artistic journey, shedding light on his creative process, his relationship with Venice, and his rise to prominence in the art world. Through its vivid descriptions, insightful analysis, and stunning visual representations, "Palaces in the Night" provides a captivating window into the life and work of this renowned artist.

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