The Fleet: Monitors |  Hunterian Art Gallery (46923) | |
| Number: | 306 | |
| Date: | 1887 | |
| Medium: | etching and drypoint | |
| Size: | 143 x 223 mm | |
| Signed: | butterfly at lower left | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | no | |
| No. of States: | 2 | |
| Known impressions: | 12 | |
| Catalogues: | K.318; M.315; W.239 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (12) | ||
The Fleet: Monitors dates from 1887. The fiftieth anniversary of the coronation of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) was celebrated in 1887. Jubilee celebrations included a Naval Review at Spithead a glorious summer day, on 23 July 1887. The Times gave a full account of the Naval Review, describing it as 'Significant, imposing, and beautiful'; it included 135 ships and 20,000 men, under the command of Admiral Sir George Willes. 1
Whistler as President of the Society of British Artists was invited to attend. During the day he made twelve etchings, the ' Jubilee Set', as well as a watercolour and pencil sketches. Other etchings done on the same day include Troopships 307, The Visitors' Boat 303 and The Turret Ship 305.
Whistler as President of the Society of British Artists was invited to attend. During the day he made twelve etchings, the ' Jubilee Set', as well as a watercolour and pencil sketches. Other etchings done on the same day include Troopships 307, The Visitors' Boat 303 and The Turret Ship 305.
1: 'The Jubilee Naval Review', The Times, London, 25 July 1887, p. 7.