Print of ships at dock next to row of buildings
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

The vantage point in this print places the viewer in a small boat parallel to the shore of a shipyard. The shore, which is on the right, has a row of buildings with windows, awnings, and external staircases on them. Workers can be seen walking narrow bridges and stairways between the buildings and the docked ships. More workers stand on the ships just beyond the boat the viewer “sits” in. On the left and in the background, we see the water and a clear sky. The tall masts and sails of ships rise above the horizon.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
2005.274
People
James Abbott McNeill Whistler, American (Lowell, MA 1834 - 1903 London, England)
Title
Limehouse
Classification
Prints
Work Type
print
Date
1859
Culture
American
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/12079

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Etching and drypoint printed in black ink onoff-white modern laid paper, darkened
Technique
Etching
Dimensions
plate: 12.5 x 19.8 cm (4 15/16 x 7 13/16 in.)
sheet: 19.8 x 25.8 cm (7 13/16 x 10 3/16 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Signed: l.r. in plate etched: "Whistler 1859"
  • watermark: partial watermark of leaves within a circle
  • inscription: onbow prow at lower right, etched into plate: Whistler 1859
  • inscription: verso, at upper sdge of sheet, graphite: Limehouse. planche détruite

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

State
Glasgow vi/vi
Standard Reference Number
Kennedy 40, Glasgow 48

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Patricia Cornwell
Accession Year
2005
Object Number
2005.274
Division
European and American Art
Contact
am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu
Permissions

The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request.

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of European and American Art at am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu