Islands; Evening 1879 - 1880

James Abbott McNeill Whistler rendered this print of an evening waterscape in drypoint. Note the series of vertical structures along the horizon: these are a campanile and the masts of boats, recurring symbols that evoke a sense of longing and aspiration. This reaching toward the sky is not new; it echoes the ancient obelisks of Egypt, symbols of power and permanence, and the soaring spires of Gothic cathedrals, which represent spiritual transcendence. Whistler simplifies these forms, distilling them to their essence and focusing on their verticality. Consider how these structures, repeated across cultures, tap into our collective yearning for something beyond ourselves. They are visual reminders of humanity's enduring quest to bridge the earthly and the divine. In this waterscape, Whistler captures not just a place but a timeless, emotional landscape.