A view of the busy quayside and the working river at Deptford. A steamer is shown discharging its cargo into lighters. Rowboats shuttle across the right, from a dock at the bottom left. Cranes dot the shoreline and contribute to the impression of the Thames as an active industrial centre. Wyllie was born in London and knew the city, its river and port throughout his life. He owned and sailed a Thames barge, which he converted into a floating studio. This helped to give him an intimate knowledge of the port, its people and its craft. The work is signed 'W L Wyllie', lower left margin.

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.