The Doorway & The Beggars from Mr Whistler's Etchings of Venice

Whistler's Venetian etchings, etched over a year spent in Venice in 1879-80, are perhaps his most celebrated and influential works. The Doorway is one of the best of the closer architectural studies, and The Beggars is a particularly atmospheric example of the studies of figures in alleyways. These two etchings are from the 'First Venice Set'. They complement Long Lagoon from the 'Second Venice Set', which is the only Venetian print in the Fitzwilliam Museum's otherwise relatively comprehensive Whistler collection.