The Paintings of James McNeill Whistler

Date

Bridge was originally thought to date from about 1878. The cursory signature on the drawing suggests a later date. If, as is possible, it is intended to represent old Battersea Bridge, it may date from 1887, or the following years, leading up to its demolition in 1890.

Bridge, private collection

The drawing is catalogued in MacDonald 1995 (cat. rais.) [more] (cat. no. 699). It is known only from a photograph. This entry has been amended, to correct information on the date and site.

Images

Subject

Site

Bridge, private collection

This drawing may be intended to show told Battersea Bridge over the River Thames in London, which was demolished in 1890.

Technique

Composition

This may be a drawing related to the etching Old Battersea Bridge, No. 2 [275].

Technique

Bridge, private collection

It is known only from a photograph. There seem to be some inconsistencies of style but it is slight and probably incomplete.

History

Provenance

• 1971: acquired by Ira Spanierman (n/a), New York dealer;
• 1974: sold at auction, Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, 23 May 1974 (lot 41J, repr.) as 'Bridge' and bought by a private collector.

The early provenance is not known.

It is possible that it was a drawing 'Putney bridge' from the collection of Howard Mansfield (1849-1938), which was sold at auction, Parke-Bernet, New York, 31 October 1945 (lot 295).

Exhibitions

It has not, as far as is known, been exhibited.

Bibliography

Catalogues Raisonnés

• MacDonald, Margaret F., James McNeill Whistler. Drawings, Pastels and Watercolours. A Catalogue Raisonné, New Haven and London, 1995 (cat. no. 699) as 'Bridge'.

Catalogues 1906-Present

• Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, 23 May 1974 (lot 41J, repr.).