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The image depicts a busy waterfront with sailboats docked, numerous masts rise into the sky, and a crowd moves along a stairway and promenade by a building. The scene is depicted using etching lines to create texture and depth. The color palette is monochromatic with sepia tones. In the distance, additional masts and figures can be seen across the water, with a faint skyline in the background.
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The image depicts a busy waterfront with sailboats docked, numerous masts rise into the sky, and a crowd moves along a stairway and promenade by a building. The scene is depicted using etching lines to create texture and depth. The color palette is monochromatic with sepia tones. In the distance, additional masts and figures can be seen across the water, with a faint skyline in the background.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Billingsgate

James McNeill Whistler

Date
1859
Medium
etching and drypoint on laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 15.24 x 22.23 cm (6 x 8 3/4 in.) sheet: 22.54 x 30.8 cm (8 7/8 x 12 1/8 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
1949.5.529
Credit line
Rosenwald Collection
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CG-W
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • American
  • Bridge
  • River
  • Boat
  • Building
  • Figures
Provenance

Howard Mansfield [1849-1938], New York (Lugt 1342); (Probably sold through A. A. Hahlo & Co., New York); Harris Whittemore [1864-1927], Naugatuck, CT, 1919; (his sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 17 January 1949, lot 119); (Charles Sessler, Philadelphia, PA); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald, Jenkintown, PA, 1949; gift to the NGA, 1949.

Inscription

lower center in plate: Whistler. 1859.

NGA object ID 36983. 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.