James McNeill Whistler, calling card
ca. 1881–1903
Medium
Engraving
Dimensions
Sheet: 1 1/2 × 2 5/8 in. (3.8 × 6.7 cm)
Classification
Prints|Ephemera|Calling cards
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of F. C. Schang, 1977
Accession Number
1977.580.39
Art Historical Context
Step into the refined world of 19th-century social etiquette this delicate calling card belonging to James McNeill Wh, the renowned American-born artist (1834–1903). Dated around 1881–1903 and measuring just 1 1/2 × 2 5/8 inches, this engraving exemplifies ephemera—everyday printed items that capture a bygone era's customs. Produced via the precise intaglio technique of engraving, where lines are incised into a metal plate for sharp, elegant impressions, it served as Whistler's personal introduction during visits to patrons, friends, or rivals in London's vibrant art scene. Whistler, a leader...
About the Artist
James McNeill Whistler|Anonymous · 1834–1903
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) was an American-born painter and printmaker who became a leading figure in the Aesthetic Movement and pioneer of Tonalism and Japonisme. He revolutionized art by championing "art for art's sake" and treating paintings as visual equivalents of musical compositions, titling works as "arrangements," "harmonies," and "nocturnes" to emphasize formal qualities o...