Old Hungerford Bridge
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1905.162
Tags
About this artwork
4, 3
Art Historical Context
James McNeill Whistler’s *Old Hungerford Bridge* (1861) captures a poignant moment along London’s River Thames, featuring the graceful arch of the old suspension bridge, a passing boat, and the misty flow of the water. Created during Whistler’s formative years in England—despite his American roots—this etching reflects his fascination with urban waterways and everyday scenes, blending Realism with emerging Aesthetic ideals that prioritized beauty and harmony over narrative. As a master printmaker, Whistler employed etching techniques to achieve subtle tonal gradations and atmospheric depth, e...