An atmospheric late drypoint in which Wyllie uses a variety of techniques to capture the scale and the scope of activity on the working river. The industrial nature of the Thames is highlighted by the crowded and heavily etched shoreline, the raised Tower bridge, and the crane at work at the foreground of the image. Here he has used an upright composition that he may have learnt from Whistler many years before. The work is signed 'W L Wyllie', lower left. For another version, see PAF2220.

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.