Art Appreciation: The Thames in Art

As the Courtauld Gallery exhibits Monet’s paintings of the Thames in the Autumn/Winter, it felt right to further explore the subject of the Thames in art. The Thames, its bridges, embankments, and the monuments standing alongside it, are world-renowned symbols of London. Over the centuries, artists have represented the river from many different viewpoints, for all sorts of occasions, and in a variety of artistic styles. In this two-hour session, we will study well-known paintings, such as Turner’s views of the Houses of Parliament ablaze, and his depiction of the Temeraire. You will also discover lesser-known paintings and artists, such as Claude de Jongh’s view of Old London Bridge, Samuel Scott, and Charles Edward Dixon’s views of the then brand-new Tower Bridge. As we study such paintings, we will come back on the Thame’s many functions: we will see regattas, and official processions, busy industrial activity, as well as the surprising frost fairs. Through these depictions, we will discuss the river's artistic and historical significance.