The Traghetto, no. 2 1880

Curator: This is James Abbott McNeill Whistler's etching, "The Traghetto, no. 2," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's strikingly muted. The sepia tones and the almost skeletal lines create a feeling of transience and quiet observation. Curator: Whistler was interested in capturing the essence of a place, and he used etching to achieve this, using light and shadow to evoke a scene, rather than detail every aspect. The Traghetto references ferry crossings in Venice, which certainly carries symbolic weight. Editor: Yes, the composition is masterful. The way he’s balanced the densely etched foreground with the more sparsely defined figures creates a palpable sense of depth and atmosphere. Curator: These fleeting moments of everyday life, rendered with such subtle artistry, speak volumes about the artist's perception and the enduring allure of Venice as a cultural touchstone. Editor: Indeed. Whistler's "Traghetto" offers an almost dreamlike glimpse into a specific time and place.