The etching looks towards the water’s edge so that the huge monolithic structure of the Millbank Penitentiary towers behind the artist, out of view of this etching. This giant fortress opened in 1816 and stood on the site of today’s Tate Britain. It had a central observation tower and was surrounded by a high octagonal-shaped wall and moat.

On the left bank the dark building in the distance is Lambeth Palace. The image has actually been reversed. The figures on the shoreline are ambiguous - not boatmen - and a man in a top hat looks down on them.

This plate was published in its second state in 1871 by Ellis and Green in the portfolio entitled 'Sixteen Etchings of Scenes on the Thames and Other Subjects', or 'The Thames Set'.

Born in Massachusetts, Whistler was not strictly a marine painter, but he did produce many views of the Thames. He etched the plates for these prints after he moved to Wapping in 1859. 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.