Isle de la Cité, Paris

James McNeill Whistler, 1859

The image shows a bird's-eye view sketch of a cityscape with two bridges crossing over a river. One bridge is closer, has an iron lattice structure and several pedestrian figures. The other bridge is larger, made of stone with multiple arches, connecting to a small island with clustered buildings. Trees are lightly sketched, and the background fades into less defined structures. The artist uses fine, precise lines to depict architectural elements, creating a dynamic atmosphere. The color palette is monochromatic, emphasizing contrast through varied densities of ink lines, offering a sharp impression of the historical urban setting.
Artist
James McNeill Whistler
Date
1859
Type
Print
Medium
etching and drypoint on wove paper
Collection
National Gallery of Art, Washington
Licence
Public domain, CC0

Image description

The image shows a bird's-eye view sketch of a cityscape with two bridges crossing over a river. One bridge is closer, has an iron lattice structure and several pedestrian figures. The other bridge is larger, made of stone with multiple arches, connecting to a small island with clustered buildings. Trees are lightly sketched, and the background fades into less defined structures. The artist uses fine, precise lines to depict architectural elements, creating a dynamic atmosphere. The color palette is monochromatic, emphasizing contrast through varied densities of ink lines, offering a sharp impression of the historical urban setting.

James McNeill Whistler