American in London: Whistler and the Thames

Excellent exhibition at Dulwich Art Gallery looking at works by Whistler of the Thames and exploring he relationship with the river.

I loved the etchings at the start of the show looking at the area round Docklands and the Pool of London as I go to work on Thames Clippers so it’s a section of the river I see every day and have grown to love. Whistler had captured it at a moment when it was still busy and thriving but was about to change. I particularly liked “The Lime Burner” with a wonderful multi-framed composition.

The middle section looked at the various houses he lived in in Chelsea, his studios there and the work that came out of them. It also explored his nocturnes and his attempts to paint the river at night.

The last section looked at how he was influences by Japanese prints particularly those showing important stages in trade routes such as bridges,

All in all a really well thought out and displayed exhibition. Note to self however, to try to visit Dulwich shows before the last week! For a Thursday afternoon it was really busy with about an hour’s wait to get into the show. 

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