James Abbott McNeill Whistler. 1834-1903.
Old Westminster Bridge. 1859. Etching. Kennedy 39, Glasgow 47.ii/iv. 3 x 7 7/8 (sheet 9 3/8 x 13 3/4). Signed and dated in the plate. Glasgow records 74 known impressions. Issued as plate 4 of 'A Series of Sixteen Etchings of Scenes on the Thames and Other Subjects' (Thames Set). A fine proof with plate tone printed on (Hallines) laid paper with a partial 'HP' in a shield watermark. Signed and dated in the plate. $3,250.
Probably Whistler's earliest etching of the Thames, made soon after his move from Paris on 6 May 1859. Like other early Thames etchings it was originally printed in small numbers for private circulation, probably on the press in Seymour Haden's house in Sloane Street. Only later was it published as one of the sixteen etchings of 'The Thames Set' in 1871.
The newly built Houses of Parliament dominate the skyline with the tower of Big Ben still scaffolded (the clock chimed for the first time on 31 May 1859). Old Westminster Bridge was soon to be demolished and the river embanked. Two years later, Whistler made an etching showing construction of the new bridge.
Please click on the link to the Glasgow online catalogue raisonné Old Westminster Bridge.
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