The Emerson Gallery will host "Whistler and His Contemporaries: Prints of Venice" through March 30. This unique exhibition will present some of the finest etchings made by James McNeill Whistler, a leading figure in the etching revival of the late 19th century. His subject is Venice, a city with a long and fruitful attraction for artists. The exhibition, which will be on view in the north gallery, also includes images of Venice by several artists who were significantly influenced by Whistler's distinctive etching technique and style. These include Otto H. Bacher, Frank Duvenack, Joseph Pennell and David Young Cameron.
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m., Sinclair Hitchings, Keeper of Prints for the Boston Public Library, will present a slide lecture in the Chemistry Auditorium (in the building directly behind the gallery). A reception in the gallery will follow at 7 p.m.
Sinclair Hitchings became the Keeper of Prints at the Boston Public Library in 1961. During the past four decades, in addition to overseeing and developing the Library's outstanding collection of master prints, Sinclair has transformed its collection of contemporary works on paper. His legacy includes the Library's "Collection of Works by Contemporary Artists with Ties to Boston," which now consists of over 10,000 drawings, prints, and photographs by some 1,000 artists. He has lectured at many prestigious institutions over the last 40 years.There is a series of lunchtime talks scheduled for the month of February around this exhibition. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Hamilton art professor Deborah Pokinski will present "Whistler in Venice." On Tuesday, Feb. 18, Hamilton student Kathryn Saunders '03 will present "The Venice Etchings of Whistler's Contemporaries" and on Tuesday, Feb. 25, Hamilton art professor Bruce Muirhead will present "Whistler's Etching Technique." These lunchtime, "brown bag" lectures are free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lunches.
Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and, on Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
About the image:
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (American, 1834-1903)
The Doorway, 1879-80, etching: 9 1/2 x 12 inches
Kennedy 188, early proof
Hamilton College Collection, Gift of the Committee on the Visual Arts
In Memory of William G. Roehrick '34
