The Riva and San Marco, Venice dates from 1879/1880. 1

According to the Pennells, when Whistler was in Venice he painted two oil paintings] 'from Mr. Ross Turner's terrace, one looking ... up [the Riva] to San Marco ... full of little figures and with boats and a suggestion of the Lagoon, in the background.' 2 Ross Sterling Turner (1847-1915) was an American artist – a skilful watercolourist and illustrator – and friend of Whistler while he was in Venice. He was in Europe from 1876 and associated with the 'Duveneck Boys' in Venice, before settling to Boston in 1882.