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Billingsgate, 1859. Creator: James Abbott McNeill Whistler
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Billingsgate, 1859. Creator: James Abbott McNeill Whistler
Billingsgate, 1859. One of the 16-print 'Thames set', a daringly abstract composition which is dominated by moored fishing vessels, and the bow of a barge in the left. For many centuries Billingsgate was the main wharf for the mooring of fishing vessels and landing their cargoes. Corn, malt, salt and fish were landed as early as the 13th century. The local market was especially famous for fish, as well as the bad language used by some fishmongers. London Bridge and the tower of Southwark Cathedral are visible in the background on the right
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1850s Barge Billingsgate Billinsgate Delivering Delivery Dock Docks Drypoint Etching And Drypoint Fishing Boat Fishing Boats Gilded Age J Mcneill Whistler Ja Mcneill Whistler James A Mcneill Whistler James Abbot Mcneill Whistler James Abbott Mcneill Whistler James Mcneil Whistler James Mcneill Whistler Local People London Bridge Market Mast Moored Museum Of New Zealand Sailboats Sailing Boats Te Papa Tongarewa Wharf Whistler J Mcneill Whistler James A Mcneill Whistler James Abbott Mcneill Whistler James Mcneill James Whistler
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EDITORS COMMENTS
**Billingsgate: A Study in Texture and Form**
In this striking print from 1859, American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler captures the bustling atmosphere of Billingsgate, a historic wharf on the Thames River. The composition is dominated by moored fishing vessels, their masts stretching towards the sky like skeletal fingers. In the foreground, a barge's bow pokes out from beneath a veil of misty fog.
Whistler's use of drypoint and etching techniques creates an intricate web of textures that draws the viewer in. The play of light on water and wood is masterfully rendered, imbuing the scene with a sense of movement and energy. In the background, London Bridge and Southwark Cathedral tower rise above the rooftops, grounding the composition.
Billingsgate was once a hub for fishing vessels unloading their catch - corn, malt, salt, and fish were all landed here as early as the 13th century. The local market was famous not only for its fresh seafood but also for the colorful language used by some of its vendors. Whistler's print is a testament to this rich history and culture.
In **Billingsgate**, we see an artist who, like his subject, is unafraid to push boundaries and challenge conventions. This striking work from 1859 remains one of Whistler's most celebrated prints in the Thames set series.
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