The Fleet: Monitors |  Hunterian Art Gallery (46923) | |
| Number: | 306 | |
| Date: | 1887 | |
| Medium: | etching and drypoint | |
| Size: | 143 x 223 mm | |
| Signed: | butterfly at lower left | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | no | |
| No. of States: | 2 | |
| Known impressions: | 12 | |
| Catalogues: | K.318; M.315; W.239 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (12) | ||
The Fleet: Monitors dates from 1887. The fiftieth anniversary of the coronation of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) was celebrated in 1887. Jubilee celebrations included a Naval Review at Spithead a glorious summer day, on 23 July 1887. The Times gave a full account of the Naval Review, describing it as 'Significant, imposing, and beautiful'; it included 135 ships and 20,000 men, under the command of Admiral Sir George Willes. 1
Whistler as President of the Society of British Artists was invited to attend. During the day he made twelve etchings, the ' Jubilee Set', as well as a watercolour and pencil sketches. Other etchings done on the same day include Troopships [307], The Visitors' Boat [303] and The Turret Ship [305].
Whistler as President of the Society of British Artists was invited to attend. During the day he made twelve etchings, the ' Jubilee Set', as well as a watercolour and pencil sketches. Other etchings done on the same day include Troopships [307], The Visitors' Boat [303] and The Turret Ship [305].
1: 'The Jubilee Naval Review', The Times, London, 25 July 1887, p. 7.