A wooden bridge stretches across the centre of the image. The shore, dotted with trees and buildings, is prominent along the right side. People move across the bridge, and work on the lighters below. Etched in 1879, this print features the old Fulham (Putney) toll bridge which was replaced by a stone bridge between 1882-1886.

Whistler’s butterfly is present at the bottom right. Around 1869 Whistler developed a monogram signature based on his initials, which appears as a stylized butterfly. Whistler used this butterfly on his work throughout the remainder of his career, adapting the shape of the monogram over time.

Born in Massachusetts, Whistler was not strictly a marine painter, but he did produce many views of the Thames. He worked directly with his subjects and by doing so, succeeded in highlighting the existence of a working-class maritime community in the city of London.