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The image shows a harbor scene with figures on a dock engaging in various activities. A building with a clock tower is to the left, and a fleet of sailing ships is moored along the water's edge. In the background, a bridge spans the view, and the sky is filled with fine, horizontal lines resembling clouds. The color palette is sepia and black, emphasizing detailed linework typical of etching, capturing a maritime environment with a sense of craftsmanship.
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The image shows a harbor scene with figures on a dock engaging in various activities. A building with a clock tower is to the left, and a fleet of sailing ships is moored along the water's edge. In the background, a bridge spans the view, and the sky is filled with fine, horizontal lines resembling clouds. The color palette is sepia and black, emphasizing detailed linework typical of etching, capturing a maritime environment with a sense of craftsmanship.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Billingsgate

James McNeill Whistler

Date
1859
Medium
etching and drypoint in black on laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 15.1 x 22.8 cm (5 15/16 x 9 in.) sheet: 20.9 x 29 cm (8 1/4 x 11 7/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2006.125.17
Credit line
Gift of John E. Stocker
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CG-W
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • American
  • etching
  • occupation
  • genre
  • daily life
Provenance

John E. Stocker, Arlington, VA; acquired 2006 by the National Gallery of Art

Inscription

lower center in plate: Whistler. 1859.; lower center edge in graphite by unknown hand: 9170

NGA object ID 136240. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.