A scene depicting shipping on the Thames looking downriver towards Tower Bridge, which has its bascules open. On the far left can be seen the turrets of the Tower of London. Steam tugs and Thames barges are depicted at work on the river together with several cargo ships and lighters. During the mid-1870s Wyllie spent much time on a barge, converted into a floating studio, going up and down the Thames. The work is signed ‘W L Wyllie’ bottom left, below the image.

The distinguished sea-painter W. L. Wyllie was born in London, but is most closely associated with Rochester and the Medway, and later with Portsmouth. During the mid-1870s he spent much time on a barge, converted into a floating studio, going up and down the Thames. From the latter part of the 1880s, Wyllie lived for some years near Rochester, and somewhat after the turn of the century, moved to Portsmouth. As well as marine paintings, Wyllie also painted ship portraits, and especially pictures of Navy battleships.