Accession Number
1954/1.338

Title
Longshoremen

Artist(s)
James Abbott McNeill Whistler

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1859

Medium & Support
etching, printed in black ink on laid Japan paper

Dimensions
7 11/16 in. x 10 9/16 in. ( 19.6 cm x 26.9 cm )

Credit Line
Bequest of Margaret Watson Parker

Subject matter
In keeping with Whistler's interests in the docks and establishments along the Thames in London, this scene of men and the woman and child at the right gave the artist the opportunity to explore working class labor in London, recalling some of the character studies that Rembrandt executed in the neighborhoods of Amsterdam.

Physical Description
Groups of figures, mostly men, are seated in an interior gathered around tables. In most cases they lean against the tables, principally the table at the back of the room that is parallel to the picture plane, looking away from the viewer. The exception is the man at the center of the composition, leaning on the table and wearing a cap and coat, who looks at the viewer as he raises his right hand towards his face. At the right are seated a woman and infant.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Collection Area
Western

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
cups
human figures (visual works)
interior spaces (spaces by location)
interiors
seated
table
working class