This etching shows workmen on the north bank of the Thames in front of London Bridge, with the tip of the tower of Southwark Cathedral just visible above. As a young man Wyllie lived upon the River Thames in a converted floating studio, drawing and painting the river and its vessels. As this drawing illustrates, he went beyond the usual depictions of ships and other craft, choosing also to record unusual details of life on the river. For other versions, see PAF0767 and PAE1969.

W. L. Wyllie (1851-1931) was a British Marine artist. Born in London, Wyllie painted, drew, and etched Thames scenes throughout his life. He moved to Portsmouth in 1907, where he continued working, supported the restoration of the Victory and painted the Trafalgar Panorama. Early in his career Wyllie was an illustrator for The Graphic, and he became a member of the Royal Academy in 1907.