Buildings by the Thames at Chelsea

Walter Greaves (1846-1930) was the son of a London boat-builder and trained as a shipwright. In 1863 Greaves met J. M. Whistler, who taught Walter and his brother, Henry, to paint. Greaves and Whistler remained close friends for over twenty years until Whistler, whose popularity was rising, surrounded himself with a new, posher circle of friends. Greaves then found it impossible to sell his work. In 1911 Greaves's work was exhibited at the Goupil Galleries to considerable acclaim, but it was not long before Whistler's admirers unjustly accused Greaves of plagiarism. This condemned him to obscurity for a decade or more. Finally, a number of prominent younger artists - Augustus John, William Nicholson and William Rothenstein - rescued Greaves and his reputation. Another exhibition was arranged, he was elected an honorary member of the Chelsea Arts Club and in 1922 a place of retirement was found for him at the Charterhouse in the City of London.

This etching, made during Greaves's happier days as a friend of Whistler, is simply entitled 'Print' by the British Museum. It depicts Lime Wharf, Chelsea, alongside neighbouring embankment buildings which are highly picturesque in their unpretentious irregularity. Workmen stand on a platform in the right middle distance, looking at moored boats on the left. The River Thames and its rippling waters dominate the foreground.

See:

Scottish National Galleries, https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/artists/walter-greaves

'Victorian artists', http://www.avictorian.com/Greaves_Walter.html

Dr Mark Stocker   Curator, Historical International Art     April 2018