The Riva, no. 1

Whistler, James McNeill, 1834-1903 · [1879–1880]

The broad pavement of the Riva degli Schiavoni, seen in front, curves along the water's edge to a bridge with high, round arch, spanning a narrow canal. On the far side of the bridge is a large two-story building, and beyond is a line of high buildings, following the windings of the embankment and ending where the Campanile and the domes of San Marco appear, at the extreme right. Boats are moored and some nets are hung up to dry alongside the Riva, near the foreground. Out in the bay are gondolas, and in the distance are a number of vessels, some with sails partly furled. Here and there, on the pavement and on bridges and in boats, are many people. The butterfly, shaded, is at the left edge of the plate, on the wall of the nearest building.