The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

Date

Battersea Reach, looking across the Thames dates from between 1872 and 1878; stylistically a date of about 1874 is most likely, but the butterfly was added later, in the 1890s.

Battersea Reach, looking across the Thames, Thomas Colville F.A.

It is the view across the Thames from Whistler’s house in Chelsea and there are several works showing that view, with slight variations. A similar subject, Grey and Silver: Chelsea Wharf y054 dates from 1864/1868 and was exhibited in 1875; it is unlikely that the drawing dates from 1864/1868 but possible that it was done before or in 1875. The composition of the drawing is very close indeed to the pastel The Thames m0473) dated 1872/1875. Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Battersea Reach y119 shows the same view and dates from the early 1870s but may have been completed for exhibition in 1872 or 1875. Stylistically the drawing could date from that period.

In style and technique it is very likeSouvenir of Nocturne in Blue and Gold / From Westminster bridge m0569 which dates from ca 1874 and is a study for Nocturne: Grey and Gold - Westminster Bridge y145.

Finally, it could have been one of several designs for the cover the pamphlet, Whistler 1878 A [more], drawn in 1878 (see r. and v.: Design for the cover of 'Whistler v. Ruskin: Art and Art Critics' m0706, Design for the cover of 'Whistler v. Ruskin: Art and Art Critics' m0707, Chelsea Reach and the dragonfly m0708).

Thus the drawing could date from between 1872 and 1878 but stylistically a date of about 1874 is likely.

On 9 June 1891 the art dealer E.G. Kennedy brought Whistler several earlier drawings for signature, and Whistler signed them (m850-1 for instance). This drawing is not listed but the tiny additional butterfly signature could well date from the 1890s.

Images

Subject

Titles

The title is based on that given by Sotheby's in the auction catalogue.

Description

Battersea Reach, looking across the Thames, Thomas Colville F.A.

In the distance are the silhouettes of factory chimneys and spoil heaps, reflected in the river. In the foreground at lower right is a jetty with two barges or boats with furled sails.

Site

The view across Battersea Reach on the River Thames, from Whistler's house in Chelsea, London.

Technique

Composition

Battersea Reach, looking across the Thames, Thomas Colville F.A.

The Thames, Indiana University Art Museum

It is possible this is a study for the pastel The Thames m0473, or that both are related to an oil showing the same view.

Technique

Battersea Reach, looking across the Thames, Thomas Colville F.A.

Souvenir of Nocturne in Blue and Gold / From Westminster bridge, Private Collection

In style and technique it is similar to Souvenir of Nocturne in Blue and Gold / From Westminster bridge m0569 which itself is a study for the oil, Nocturne: Grey and Gold - Westminster Bridge y145.

History

Provenance

• Date unknown: with Frederick Keppel & Co., New York.
• Date unknown: acquired by Dr Marjorie Lord Strauss Knauth (1897-1969), Wilton, Connecticut;
• 1969: passed to her husband, Victor Whitman Knauth (1895-1977), Wilton;
• 1977: passed by family descent to John A. Knauth;
• 1987: acquired from J. A. Knauth by Janet French Cramer, Marlboro, VT;
• After 1998: given to Marlboro College, Marlboro, VT;
• 2017: sold at auction, Sotheby's, New York, 6 October 2017 (lot 98), bought by Thomas Colville, Fine Art.

Exhibitions

Not exhibited in Whistler's lifetime.

Bibliography

Catalogues Raisonnés

• None.

Catalogues 1906-Present

SALE:

• Sotheby's. New York, 6 October 2017 (lot 98, repr.) as 'Battersea Reach, looking across the Thames', sold for $30,000.