The Freer Gallery in Washington D.C. has a small yet truly significant exhibition on show called "Fine Impressions: Whistler, Freer, and Venice." Housed in one room, this exhibition is an in-depth study of James McNeill Whistler's Second Venice Set. It is a set of 26 etchings.
Freer, the museum founder, purchased the whole set on a trip to a New York city art gallery. He was not impressed with Whistler; his works were not among his earliest acquisitions. Yet, with Second Venice Set, Freer could not resist. As the museum's webpage highlights: "Freer leaped from his chair and paced around the room 'uttering large adjectives'" when Whistler's etchings were presented to him.
Freer, the museum founder, purchased the whole set on a trip to a New York city art gallery. He was not impressed with Whistler; his works were not among his earliest acquisitions. Yet, with Second Venice Set, Freer could not resist. As the museum's webpage highlights: "Freer leaped from his chair and paced around the room 'uttering large adjectives'" when Whistler's etchings were presented to him.
Like Freer, I very much enjoyed seeing the art works on display. They are moderately sized and the exhibition feels intimate - one needs to get close to the prints to truly appreciate the workmanship. The pieces are striking - despite the limited color scheme of print making, they present light, ambiance, and texture. And they show scenes from Venice, one of my favorite travel destination.
Freer and Whistler developed a friendship that enriched them personally but ultimately led to an amazing collection of art pieces that one can now enjoy as part of the Smithsonian collections.
"Fine Impressions: Whistler, Freer, and Venice" is on display through January 3, 2016 at Freer Gallery (ground floor).