Who painted Factories on the Chicago River?

Factories on the Chicago River was painted by Bertha Evelyn Jaques in 1904.

Where can I see Factories on the Chicago River?

Factories on the Chicago River is held by National Gallery of Art.

Artwork

Factories on the Chicago River

Bertha Evelyn Jaques , 1904

Factories on the Chicago River is an ink print by Bertha Evelyn Jaques. It dates from 1904 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:Inscribed: In pencil: lower right, Bertha E. Jaques; in the print: lower right, BJ 1904

About this work

Overview

Bertha Evelyn Jaques produced the print Factories on the Chicago River in 1904. Executed as an etching combined with drypoint, the work presents a panoramic view of the industrial waterfront, populated by factories, smokestacks, and river traffic.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a bustling segment of the Chicago River, emphasizing the density of manufacturing structures and the constant movement of barges. The rising plumes of smoke and the rippling water convey the energy and turbulence of early‑twentieth‑century urban industry.

Technique & Style

Jaques employed both fine and bold incised lines, a hallmark of drypoint, to render texture and depth. The etching process allowed for delicate tonal variations, while the scratchy, hand‑drawn quality of the lines suggests a rapid, observational approach to the scene.

History & Provenance

Created at the height of Chicago’s industrial expansion, the print reflects contemporary interest in documenting urban change. It remains a representative example of Jaques’s printmaking output, though specific exhibition or ownership records for this particular sheet are not widely documented.