Curations

Artists and places: Whistler and Greaves along the Thames in London

David Saywell, Head of Digital Assets

Born in Cheyne Walk in Chelsea, Walter Greaves (1846–1930) was the son of a boatman to J.M.W. Turner. Greaves and brother Henry met James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903) in the early 1860s when Whistler moved to the area, and introduced him to the Thames and they became studio assistants and friends for over 20 years. Walter in particular followed Whistler in his selection of the Thames, and Chelsea and Battersea opposite each other for inspiration for his paintings: Nocturnes, fireworks at Cremorne Gardens, Battersea Bridge, boats and even the appearance of Japanese figures. Developed in association with Grant Waters, Art Detective Group Leader: South East England, East England and the Midlands.

Artists featured in this Curation: James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903) and Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
50 artworks
Storyline Album Showcase

  • Nocturne: Blue and Gold - Old Battersea Bridge

    Nocturne: Blue and Gold - Old Battersea Bridge c.1872–5
    James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)
    Oil on canvas
    H 68.3 x W 51.2 cm
    Tate
    Nocturne: Blue and Gold - Old Battersea Bridge
    Image credit: Tate

  • Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Chelsea

    Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Chelsea 1871
    James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)
    Oil on wood
    H 50.2 x W 60.8 cm
    Tate
    Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Chelsea
    Image credit: Tate

  • Nocturne: Grey and Gold, Westminster Bridge

    Nocturne: Grey and Gold, Westminster Bridge c.1871–1872
    James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)
    Oil on canvas
    H 71 x W 86.4 cm
    Glasgow Life Museums
    Nocturne: Grey and Gold, Westminster Bridge
    Image credit: Glasgow Life Museums

  • Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Cremorne Lights

    Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Cremorne Lights 1872
    James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)
    Oil on canvas
    H 50.2 x W 74.3 cm
    Tate
    Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Cremorne Lights
    Image credit: Tate

  • Nocturne in Blue and Silver

    Nocturne in Blue and Silver 1872–1878, butterfly added c.1885
    James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)
    Oil on canvas
    H 44.5 x W 61 cm
    Yale Center for British Art
    Nocturne in Blue and Silver
    Image credit: Yale Center for British Art

  • Blue and Silver: Screen, with Old Battersea Bridge

    Blue and Silver: Screen, with Old Battersea Bridge 1871–1872
    James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)
    Distemper & gold paint on brown paper laid on canvas stretched on back of silk
    H 195 x W 182 cm
    The Hunterian, University of Glasgow
    Blue and Silver: Screen, with Old Battersea Bridge
    Image credit: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

  • Nocturne: Black and Gold - The Fire Wheel

    Nocturne: Black and Gold - The Fire Wheel 1875
    James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)
    Oil on canvas
    H 54.3 x W 76.2 cm
    Tate
    Nocturne: Black and Gold - The Fire Wheel
    Image credit: Tate

  • The 'Adam and Eve', Old Chelsea

    The 'Adam and Eve', Old Chelsea 1878–1879
    James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)
    Etching on paper
    H 17.5 x W 30 cm
    Rye Art Gallery
    The 'Adam and Eve', Old Chelsea
    Image credit: Rye Art Gallery

  • Battersea Reach from Lindsey Houses

    Battersea Reach from Lindsey Houses c.1864–1871
    James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)
    Oil on canvas
    H 51.3 x W 76.5 cm
    The Hunterian, University of Glasgow
    Battersea Reach from Lindsey Houses
    Image credit: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

  • Grey and Silver: The Thames

    Grey and Silver: The Thames c.1896
    James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61.3 x W 46.1 cm
    The Hunterian, University of Glasgow
    Grey and Silver: The Thames
    Image credit: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

  • Nocturne

    Nocturne c.1875–1877
    James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)
    Oil on canvas
    H 55.5 x W 39.4 cm
    The Hunterian, University of Glasgow
    Nocturne
    Image credit: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

  • Whistler on the Thames

    Whistler on the Thames 1874
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 88.3 x W 71.5 cm
    Ferens Art Gallery
    Whistler on the Thames
    Image credit: Ferens Art Gallery

  • Nocturne in Blue and Gold

    Nocturne in Blue and Gold 1870–1879
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 30.5 x W 45.7 cm
    York Museums Trust
    Nocturne in Blue and Gold
    Image credit: York Museums Trust

  • The Thames

    The Thames
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 57 x W 90 cm
    Government Art Collection
    The Thames
    Image credit: Government Art Collection

  • Nocturne

    Nocturne
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 24.5 x W 33.4 cm
    The Hunterian, University of Glasgow
    Nocturne
    Image credit: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

  • Nocturne, Battersea Reach, London

    Nocturne, Battersea Reach, London
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 29.4 x W 46 cm
    Sheffield Museums
    Nocturne, Battersea Reach, London
    Image credit: Sheffield Museums

  • Fireworks, Cremorne Gardens

    Fireworks, Cremorne Gardens before 1877
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61 x W 76 cm
    The Hunterian, University of Glasgow
    Fireworks, Cremorne Gardens
    Image credit: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

  • Japanese Figures on Chelsea Embankment

    Japanese Figures on Chelsea Embankment 1870–1879
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 38.1 x W 30.5 cm
    York Museums Trust
    Japanese Figures on Chelsea Embankment
    Image credit: York Museums Trust

  • Battersea Bridge, Misty Moonlight

    Battersea Bridge, Misty Moonlight c.1875
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 73 x W 51 cm
    Museum of London
    Battersea Bridge, Misty Moonlight
    Image credit: Museum of London

  • Old Battersea Bridge

    Old Battersea Bridge
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 89.5 x W 59.7 cm
    Kensington and Chelsea Local Studies
    Old Battersea Bridge
    Image credit: Kensington and Chelsea Local Studies

  • Old Battersea Bridge by Night

    Old Battersea Bridge by Night 1860s/1870s
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on board
    H 23 x W 23 cm
    Kensington and Chelsea Local Studies
    Old Battersea Bridge by Night
    Image credit: Kensington and Chelsea Local Studies

  • Nocturne, Battersea Old Bridge, London

    Nocturne, Battersea Old Bridge, London
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 50.8 x W 68.6 cm
    Leeds Museums and Galleries
    Nocturne, Battersea Old Bridge, London
    Image credit: Leeds Museums and Galleries

  • Nocturne in Blue and Gold

    Nocturne in Blue and Gold
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 28.3 x W 46.5 cm
    Leicester Museums and Galleries
    Nocturne in Blue and Gold
    Image credit: Leicester Museums and Galleries

  • Battersea Reach, Early Morning, London

    Battersea Reach, Early Morning, London 1900
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 53 x W 64 cm
    West Northamptonshire Council
    Battersea Reach, Early Morning, London
    Image credit: West Northamptonshire Council

  • Thames

    Thames
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 71.2 x W 45.6 cm
    Southampton City Art Gallery
    Thames
    Image credit: Southampton City Art Gallery

  • The Pool of London

    The Pool of London
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61 x W 102 cm
    City of London Corporation
    The Pool of London
    Image credit: City of London Corporation

  • Greaves' Landing Stage

    Greaves' Landing Stage
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 50.8 x W 61 cm
    Kensington and Chelsea Local Studies
    Greaves' Landing Stage
    Image credit: Kensington and Chelsea Local Studies

  • Old Battersea Bridge

    Old Battersea Bridge 1874
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 58.4 x W 76.2 cm
    Tate
    Old Battersea Bridge
    Image credit: Tate

  • An Old London Bridge

    An Old London Bridge
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 65 x W 80 cm
    Alfred East Art Gallery Permanent Collection
    An Old London Bridge
    Image credit: Alfred East Art Gallery Permanent Collection

  • The Plumbago Factory, Battersea, London

    The Plumbago Factory, Battersea, London
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 50.8 x W 60.9 cm
    Leeds Museums and Galleries
    The Plumbago Factory, Battersea, London
    Image credit: Bridgeman Images

  • Barges on the Thames

    Barges on the Thames
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 40.6 x W 60.9 cm
    Leeds Museums and Galleries
    Barges on the Thames
    Image credit: Leeds Museums and Galleries

  • The River in Winter, Sunset

    The River in Winter, Sunset 1865
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 51.3 x W 45.7 cm
    Leicester Museums and Galleries
    The River in Winter, Sunset
    Image credit: Leicester Museums and Galleries

  • Chelsea Parish Church, London

    Chelsea Parish Church, London
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 45.7 x W 60.9 cm
    Leeds Museums and Galleries
    Chelsea Parish Church, London
    Image credit: Bridgeman Images

  • Unloading the Barge, Lindsey Wharf

    Unloading the Barge, Lindsey Wharf
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 58.5 x W 44 cm
    Kensington and Chelsea Local Studies
    Unloading the Barge, Lindsey Wharf
    Image credit: Kensington and Chelsea Local Studies

  • Lindsey Wharf, Chelsea, London

    Lindsey Wharf, Chelsea, London
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 45.7 x W 60.9 cm
    Leeds Museums and Galleries
    Lindsey Wharf, Chelsea, London
    Image credit: Bridgeman Images

  • Lindsay Wharf, Chelsea

    Lindsey Wharf, Chelsea
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 76.5 x W 46 cm
    The Hepworth Wakefield
    Lindsey Wharf, Chelsea
    Image credit: The Hepworth Wakefield

  • River Scene

    River Scene
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 60.7 x W 50.5 cm
    Kirklees Museums and Galleries
    River Scene
    Image credit: Kirklees Museums and Galleries

  • The Waterside Entrance to Cremorne Gardens, London

    The Waterside Entrance to Cremorne Gardens, London 1859 (?)
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on cardboard
    H 22.8 x W 37.5 cm
    Museum of London
    The Waterside Entrance to Cremorne Gardens, London
    Image credit: Museum of London

  • Lawrence Street: A Chelsea Pensioner

    Lawrence Street: A Chelsea Pensioner
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on cardboard
    H 48.3 x W 61 cm
    The Hunterian, University of Glasgow
    Lawrence Street: A Chelsea Pensioner
    Image credit: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

  • Lawrence Street, Chelsea

    Lawrence Street, Chelsea
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 40.5 x W 60.5 cm
    Government Art Collection
    Lawrence Street, Chelsea
    Image credit: Government Art Collection

  • The Frozen Thames

    The Frozen Thames
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 63.6 x W 76.2 cm
    Leeds Museums and Galleries
    The Frozen Thames
    Image credit: Leeds Museums and Galleries

  • The Thames at Chelsea, London

    The Thames at Chelsea, London
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 48.9 x W 59.1 cm
    Sheffield Museums
    The Thames at Chelsea, London
    Image credit: Sheffield Museums

  • Chelsea Reach

    Chelsea Reach
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Etching on paper
    H 13 x W 23 cm
    Rye Art Gallery
    Chelsea Reach
    Image credit: Rye Art Gallery

  • Hammersmith Bridge on Boat-race Day

    Hammersmith Bridge on Boat-race Day c.1862
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 91.4 x W 139.7 cm
    Tate
    Hammersmith Bridge on Boat-race Day
    Image credit: Tate

  • The Black Lion, Chelsea by Night

    The Black Lion, Chelsea by Night c.1890
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on panel
    H 26 x W 35.9 cm
    Yale Center for British Art
    The Black Lion, Chelsea by Night
    Image credit: Yale Center for British Art

  • The 'Old Swan'

    The 'Old Swan'
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on board
    H 55 x W 79 cm
    Kensington and Chelsea Local Studies
    The 'Old Swan'
    Image credit: Kensington and Chelsea Local Studies

  • Twilight on the Embankment, London

    Twilight on the Embankment, London
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 24.5 x W 28 cm
    West Northamptonshire Council
    Twilight on the Embankment, London
    Image credit: West Northamptonshire Council

  • Chelsea Regatta

    Chelsea Regatta 1863–1868
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 91.8 x W 191.7 cm
    Manchester Art Gallery
    Chelsea Regatta
    Image credit: Manchester Art Gallery

  • Battersea Reach

    Battersea Reach c.1870
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 64.1 x W 76.8 cm
    Tate
    Battersea Reach
    Image credit: Tate

  • Misty Moonrise, Battersea Reach

    Misty Moonrise, Battersea Reach
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 49.5 x W 74.5 cm
    Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery
    Misty Moonrise, Battersea Reach
    Image credit: Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery

Explore artists in this Curation

  • Hammersmith Bridge on Boat-race Day
    Walter Greaves (1846–1930)
  • Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Chelsea
    James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)