Inez Whiting Appraisal

Nantucket Harbor Etching by Inez Harrington Whiting

This monochromatic artwork is an original etching on paper, matted and ready for framing. The scene depicts a harbor crowded with vintage sailing vessels, characterized by high-contrast tonal values that suggest a moody, atmospheric morning or dusk. The print displays a masterly use of plate tone to create the soft, overcast sky and reflective water surfaces. The central focus includes several gaff-rigged sailboats with sails catching the light, rendered with fine needle lines and cross-hatching. Physically, the artwork is set within a cream-colored window mat, which shows some signs of age including surface smudging, minor foxing, and visible corner creases. The etching itself appears to be in fair to good condition, showing the deep black ink characteristic of a well-inked intaglio plate. Pencil inscriptions are visible below the plate mark: the title 'Nantucket Harbor' is written on the lower left, and the artist's signature 'Inez Harrington Whiting' is signed on the lower right, accompanied by a '31' possibly indicating the year 1931. The style is representative of early 20th-century American printmaking, specifically the New England school of coastal artists. The craftsmanship is evident in the delicate rendering of the rigging and the atmospheric perspective achieved through varied etching depths.