The Troubled Thames

c. 1875

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image shows a body of water with a cityscape or industrial skyline in the background. The horizon is high in the composition, with various structures, possibly factory buildings with smokestacks. The brushstrokes are sketch-like and linear, and cross-hatching is used for shading and texture. The color palette is monochromatic, with sepia tones and shades of black. There are boats on the water with masts and forms depicted in quick strokes, and detailed outlines of buildings in the distance.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1949.5.545

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    MacDonald 2012, no. 157, state iii/iii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Henry Harper Benedict [1844-1935], New York, (Lugt 2936); Harris Whittemore [1864-1927], Naugatuck, CT; (his sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 18 January 1949, lot 203); (Charles Sessler, Philadelphia, PA); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald, Jenkintown, PA, 1949; gift to the NGA, 1949.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 152, iii/iii.

2012

  • MacDonald, Margaret F., Grischka Petri, Joanna Meacock.James McNeill Whistler: The Etchings, a catalogue raisonné. University of Glasgow on-line website at http://etchings.arts.gla.ac.uk. University of Glasgow, 2012: no. 157, state iii/iii.

Inscriptions

on recto: W.129 / 25/./; on verso: 25' / 15 / 30/./

Watermarks

Arms of Amsterdam

Wikidata ID

Q65076998

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