Thames Police | ||
Number: | 53 | |
Date: | 1859 | |
Medium: | etching and drypoint | |
Size: | 153 x 229 mm | |
Signed: | 'Whistler.' at lower right | |
Inscribed: | '1859.' at lower right | |
Set/Publication: | 'Thames Set', 1871 | |
No. of States: | 6 | |
Known impressions: | 81 | |
Catalogues: | K.44; M.43; T.43; W.42 | |
Impressions taken from this plate (81) |
STATE
Five states are known before cancellation.
State 1
![Impression: K0440101 Impression: K0440101](../../images/etch_t/K0440101_001.jpg)
Signed and dated 'Whistler. 1859.' at lower right.
The composition is complete.
The cloud between the chimneys in the centre does not touch the roofs.
State 2
![Impression: K0440204 Impression: K0440204](../../images/etch_t/K0440204_001.jpg)
Drypoint lines are added to the clouds at the top and right, and curved lines fill the space just above the roofs; a few horizontal lines are added behind the distant shipping.
In many impressions, including that reproduced above, there is a slanting scratch above the roof of Wapping Wharf at upper right.
State 3
![Impression: K0440303 Impression: K0440303](../../images/etch_t/K0440303_001.jpg)
More long drypoint lines are added to the clouds at the top, particularly at upper right, and curved lines above the roof with dormer-windows.
State 4
![Impression: K0440312 Impression: K0440312](../../images/etch_t/K0440312_001.jpg)
The sky is reworked with heavier drypoint shading, the clouds are more clearly delineated, and several curved drypoint lines, nearly parallel, are added above the roofs in the centre.
State 5
![Impression: K0440324 Impression: K0440324](../../images/etch_t/K0440324_001.jpg)
More drypoint shading is added on the clouds and in the sky behind the ships; the outlines of the clouds are altered; the drypoint above and between the three chimneys at left has been rubbed down.
In this state (and in the variations described below), published in the 'Thames Set'.
Impressions vary considerably according to inking and condition of the plate; see below for major variations.
State 5 (clipped)
![Impression: K0440327 Impression: K0440327](../../images/etch_t/K0440327_001.jpg)
The copper plate corners were clipped off; thus the four platemark corners no longer have sharp right angles.
The plate was steeled and in some impressions there is corrosion around the edges, as in the impression reproduced above.