Chelsea Bridge and Church

James McNeill Whistler

1871 · Etching and drypoint, printed in black ink on ivory laid paper; fifth state of seven (Glasgow) · Drawings and Prints

In this etching, Whistler looks along the Thames toward Chelsea Old Church and the Albert Bridge. As a resident of the area, he knew that pending construction of the Embankment would soon significantly alter the riverbank. His admiration for Japanese woodblock prints influenced the oriental profile of the distant bridge, placement of the barge and rowboat in the left foreground, and soft dark contours where the etching has been strengthened with drypoint. This was the latest work included in Ellis & Green’s 1871 publication of the "Thames Set," postdating other prints in the portfolio by a decade.

Artist

James McNeill Whistler

Date

1871

Medium

Etching and drypoint, printed in black ink on ivory laid paper; fifth state of seven (Glasgow)

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917