A broad set of steps leading up to a tree-lined terrace are the main features of this work. Figures on the terrace and a sculpture of putti supporting an urn or pot are visible at the top of the stairs; in the left foreground, a woman and little girl are climbing the stairs.
In the lower left corner, two women are seen seated out of doors conversing in a park-like setting. In the middle distance is a large sculpture on a raised pedestal. Grouped around the sculpture are other small gatherings of people in conversation. Behind the figures and sculpture is the loose indication of trees.
The Pantheon, from the Terrace of the Luxembourg Gardens
Artist
James McNeill Whistler
Physical Description
The balustrade of a public park walkway seen at a slight distance acts as a foil for several figures grouped in front of the balustrade. To the left, two women stand talking while a child, with her back facing the viewer looks between the balusters towards the dome of a building in the distance beyond some trees. Too the right of the composition, a seated man and a woman shown in profile are grouped. Two ornamental urns decorate the balustrade.
The Pantheon, from the Terrace of the Luxembourg Gardens
Artist
James McNeill Whistler
Physical Description
The balustrade of a public park walkway seen at a slight distance acts as a foil for several figures grouped in front of the balustrade. To the left, two women stand talking while a child, with her back facing the viewer looks between the balusters towards the dome of a building in the distance beyond some trees. Too the right of the composition, a seated man and a woman shown in profile are grouped. Two ornamental urns decorate the balustrade.
A woman draped in diaphanous drapery sits on a couch facing the viewer. The arm of the couch is visible at the left of the image and the woman glances down towards her knees. To the right is a flower-like form that is the artist's "butterfly" signature.
A female nude reclines on a couch, leaning towards the left, face looking down. Her head is supported by her right hand; her left hand, holding up drapery behind her, is grasping the back of the couch. Her right leg dangles over the edge of the couch while the left leg rests on the cushion.
Artist Life Dates
1834 - 1903
Century
19th century
Object Creation Date
1893
Accession Number
1954/1.442
Medium and Support
Transfer lithograph with stumping on old laid paper
A lightly draped female leans back with her arms against a low wall. Her weight is on her right leg; her left leg crosses in front of the right leg. She looks down; drapery is gathered up on the wall to the right of the figure.
A three-story house fills nearly the entire sheet. On the ground level, a stone arched entrance on the left is flanked by a window with green shutters; on the second level, rusticated stone the defines the vertical sides of the buildings is indicated, along with three small windows; the third level projects forward, corbels below and shadows indicating the overhanging top floor; a shingled roof with a dormer window completes the building. Summary indications of the flanking buildings are suggested. Two young women or girls stand at the lower left corner of the composition.
Artist Life Dates
1834 - 1903
Century
19th century
Object Creation Date
1893
Accession Number
1954/1.453
Medium and Support
Transfer lithograph with scraping printed in five colors on Japan paper
