A drypoint etching of the Thames, looking upriver towards Waterloo Bridge with the Shot Tower on the south bank to the left. Rafts of lighters are moored on the river in the centre and to the left. A small lugger, possibly a waterman skiff, sails upriver in the centre with two steam tugs to its right. The work is signed ‘W L Wyllie’, lower left margin.

The Shot Tower was built in 1826 and demolished for area development in 1967. Other images by Wyllie from and of the Shot Tower include London from the Shot Tower (PAE2008) and Shot Tower (PAF1303). J. M. W. Turner’s On the Thames Above Waterloo Bridge ca. 1830-35 features the Shot Tower.

W. L. Wyllie (1851-1931) was a British Marine artist. Born in London, Wyllie painted, drew, and etched Thames scenes throughout his life. He moved to Portsmouth in 1907, where he continued working, supported the restoration of the Victory and painted the Trafalgar Panorama. Early in his career Wyllie was an illustrator for The Graphic, and he became a member of the Royal Academy in 1907.