The Thames, 1896 (printed 1903-1904)
Lithotintexpand_more
Gift of Mrs. Fred Wells, 1954expand_more P.12,356
Not on Viewexpand_more
The Thames, Whistler's most complex and evocative nocturne, was also the last image he created while living in his suite at the Savoy Hotel in London. While the other lithographs from this time were printed using transfer paper, Whistler drew this image directly on a stone. His printers readied the stone and the washes of lithographic medium (tusche) and delivered them to his hotel. Whistler worked on his balcony for several weeks, using a brush to paint on the tusche washes and then scraping away other areas for highlights. He eventually captured the effects of the silvery mist and delicate lights of the Thames at dusk. The Thames won a medal at the 1900 Paris World's Fair, where the art critic Théodore Duret saw it and remarked, "It is infused with transparency and incredible lightness, and I was astonished by it."
Details
- Title
- The Thames
- Artist Life
- 1834–1903
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.12,356
- Provenance
- Miss Rosalind Birnie Philip (Lugt 205, 1873-1958), New York. Mrs. Frederick B. Wells III, Minneapolis, until 1954; given to MIA.
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Way 125 iiib/iiib; Levy 178; Spink 161 iii/iii
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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