The Thames at Southwark

This is a view of the warehouses of Bankside, taken from Southwark Bridge. Across the expanse of the River Thames in the foreground, in the distance can be seen, from left to right: Waterloo Station, the Shot Tower and the 'Oxo' Tower. On the right is a railway bridge with the white smoke of a train visible; beyond is Big Ben and some of the buildings fronting the Embankment. A tug and a number of barges are depicted on the river. The dark scene is heightened by strokes of white on the water's surface and steam in the background.

Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson (1889-1946) is best known for his war paintings and townscapes. A founding member of the London Group in 1913, as well as a member of the New English Art Club and an Associate of the Royal Academy, he was also connected with the Futurist Movement.

This is one of a number of oil paintings by Nevinson concerned with the working river and the industrialisation of its banks.The Museum has two other related works, The Temporary Waterloo Bridge ( 59.99/144 and The Thames at Deptford (59.99/145).