Detail, Limehouse, by James McNeill Whistler, F1888.33.

Paper Conservation: Past Projects

Whistler Collection survey:

Etching by James McNeill Whistler titled Doorway and Vine, and radiograph revealing the Posthorn watermark.

Although best known for his paintings, the expatriate American artist James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903) is also widely acknowledged as the greatest printmaker since the Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669). The Freer Gallery of Art has the largest collection of Whistler prints in North America. A comprehensive survey of Whistler’s art on paper was undertaken to examine and document condition, media, watermarks, signatures, inscriptions, type of paper and pulp characteristics, and ink color. Radiographs were taken of all of the watermarks found.