Throughout history, the mystical canals and famed monuments of Venice have drawn artists to the floating city. Artists such as Canaletto (1697-1768) and J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851) created works which stimulated countless others to follow. In fact, much of the art that inspired Whistler to become an artist was by Italian Renaissance masters. Between 1851 and 1852 John Ruskin, the famed art critic, published The Stones of Venice, extolling the beauty of Venetian Gothic architecture. This book inspired many artists to visit Venice, including, ironically, Whistler, who sued Ruskin for libel in November of 1878. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Venice attracted artists including James Whistler and Joseph Pennell. During Whistler’s time in Venice, between 1879 and 1880, he created works that greatly influenced many of the artists in the etching revival, both in Venice and in London.

Whistler was interested in depicting the ordinary, poorer sections of Venice—what he called the “Venice of the Venetians.” In 1876, he wanted to visit Venice but lacked financial backing. In 1879, following the bankruptcy caused by the Whistler vs. Ruskin trial, the Fine Art Society commissioned the artist to execute twelve etchings of Venice. These etchings closely resemble his London Nocturne paintings. The revolutionary Venice Set reestablished Whistler’s career when they were exhibited in London.

While in Venice, Whistler quickly became a mentor to a group of young artists living in the Casa Jankowitz, a house in the eastern part of Venice. This group was led by the American Frank Duveneck and was known as the “Duveneck Boys.” The closest follower of Whistler in this group was another American, Otto Bacher. Whistler’s circle incorporated many aspects of his aesthetic style into their own art. Like Whistler, they were more interested in the aesthetic value of the city than depicting touristic sites.

When Whistler returned from Venice, his work was well received by the artists living in London. Joseph Pennell, for example, was inspired to visit Venice himself in 1884. Whistler’s Venice etchings would continue to influence Etching Revival artists even after his death in 1903. The influence of Whistler’s Venetian etchings would help to usher in the second generation of Etching Revival artists, including Ernest David Roth, who explored Whistler’s misty canals in the first two decades of the 20th century.

- Spencer Wigmore