Near Gravesend: Souvenir of the Thames
1883
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1883
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a busy river scene with a mix of old and new boats. In the foreground, a small rowboat carries a few people dressed in long coats and hats. Behind them, a big steamboat puffs black smoke, while a tall sailing ship glides past. The water is choppy, and the sky looks stormy. Notice how the artist used shading to show the smoke and waves—it’s not just lines, but layers of tone. The tiny details in the boats and clothing make the scene feel real. If you like this style, look up etching, drypoint, aquatint to see how these techniques create texture.