UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Troopships

Impression: Hunterian Art Gallery
Hunterian Art Gallery
(46956)
Number: 307
Date: 1887
Medium: etching and drypoint
Size: 128 x 178 mm
Signed: butterfly at lower right
Inscribed: no
Set/Publication: no
No. of States: 2
Known impressions: 13
Catalogues: K.319; M.314; W.238
Impressions taken from this plate  (13)

KEYWORD

bunting, jubilee, launch, naval review, rowing boat, sea, ship, warship.

TITLE

Examples of variations in the title are as follows:


'Her Majestys Fleet Troopships' (1887/1888, Whistler). 2
'Troopships' (1889, Whistler). 3
'Troopship' (1890/1891, Whistler). 4
'Troop Ships' (1886, Frederick Wedmore (1844-1921)). 5
'Naval Review The Troop Ship' (1890/1892, Beatrice Whistler (1857-1896)). 6
'Troop-Ships' (1909, Howard Mansfield (1849-1938)). 7


There are definitely several troopships, so the title 'Troopships' is preferred.

2: List, [1887/1888], GUW #13233.

3: List, 18 July 1889, #13235.

4: List, [1890/1891], #13236.

5: Wedmore 1899 (cat. no. 238).

6: List, [1890/1892], GUW #12715.

7: Mansfield 1909 (cat. no. 314).

DESCRIPTION

In the distance, twenty or thirty ships are sailing in formation, in two or three lines abreast, across the sea. They are heading to right, into the wind, with lines of bunting flying out behind. They are of all sizes and types from sailing boats to steam ships and large warships. Nearer the spectator is a small sloop just to left of centre, and other small craft to right, all under a cloudy sky.

SITE

At sea off Spithead, off the south coast of England: distinguished visitors, including Whistler, watched the Naval Review from the massive troop ships. Very full accounts of the Naval Review appeared in the newspapers. See for instance 'The Great Naval Review', The Times, London, 22 July 1887, p. 3; 'Plan Of The Naval Review At Spithead' and 'The Naval Reviw', The Times, 25 July 1887, pp. 4, 7; Pall Mall Gazette, 25 July 1887.