Shipbuilder's Yard, Liverpool |  Art Institute of Chicago (1938.1932) | |
| Number: | 142 | |
| Date: | 1875 | |
| Medium: | drypoint | |
| Size: | 279 x 152 mm | |
| Signed: | butterfly at left (1-3); redrawn (3-final) | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | 'Cancelled Plates', 1879 | |
| No. of States: | 4 | |
| Known impressions: | 24 | |
| Catalogues: | K.146; M.144; W.121 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (24) | ||
KEYWORD
man standing, pier, port, quay, river, sailing ship, scaffolding.
TITLE
There are several minor variations in the title, as follows:
'Ship Builders Yard - Liverpool -' (1875, Whistler). 2
'The ship builders yard' (1875, Whistler). 3
'Ship builders yard' (1877, Whistler). 4
'The Little Mast' (1877, Charles Augustus Howell (1840?-1890)). 5
'Shipbuilder's Yard' (1886, Frederick Wedmore (1844-1921)). 6
'Ship-Builder's Yard' (1909, Howard Mansfield (1849-1938)). 7
The title 'Shipbuilders Yard, Liverpool' is clear and descriptive and is derived from Whistler's original title.
'Ship Builders Yard - Liverpool -' (1875, Whistler). 2
'The ship builders yard' (1875, Whistler). 3
'Ship builders yard' (1877, Whistler). 4
'The Little Mast' (1877, Charles Augustus Howell (1840?-1890)). 5
'Shipbuilder's Yard' (1886, Frederick Wedmore (1844-1921)). 6
'Ship-Builder's Yard' (1909, Howard Mansfield (1849-1938)). 7
The title 'Shipbuilders Yard, Liverpool' is clear and descriptive and is derived from Whistler's original title.
DESCRIPTION
In the foreground, at the extreme right, there is wooden scaffolding, and to left of this, a tall pole. A man stands to left of the pole, on the quayside and another man is faintly indicated sitting behind him, at right. Across a wide reach of water there are tall-masted sailing ships at anchor and shipping in the distance. There are a few clouds in the sky.
SITE
According to James Anderson Rose (1819-1890), the shipyard was Royden's yard in the city of Liverpool, in the county of Cheshire, UK. 8 Liverpool docks were among the biggest and busiest in the country.
8: Rose, James Anderson, Catalogue of a Collection of Etched and Engraved Works by the Best Masters Formed ... by James Anderson Rose ... Including the Most Complete Series of Mr. Whistler's Works Yet Formed ... , Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, sale catalogue, London, 30 June 1876.
DISCUSSION
Earlier dockside views include London scenes such as Millbank 078, and one Liverpool scene, Shipping at Liverpool 100. Shipbuilders Yard, Liverpool marks a return to such dockyard subjects, which included The Two Ships 143, From Billingsgate 165,
Pickle Herring Wharf 164,
The Tiny Pool 167 and
Free Trade Wharf 171.