Whistler at Moulsey [Molesey Lock] 1861

Edwin Edwards made this etching, "Whistler at Moulsey", in nineteenth-century Britain. Edwards’ work can be placed in the context of the rise of industrial capitalism in Britain, in which some artists began to turn away from traditionally grand subject matter to depict everyday scenes. This image creates meaning through its depiction of ordinary life and labour, its focus on the landscape, and its use of light and shadow. The scene is set in Moulsey, a village on the River Thames. We see a lock, a bridge, and a figure standing on the bank. This print presents an understated view of the rural landscape in the face of increasing urbanization. When we examine art, we also look at the social conditions that shape artistic production. Art historians consult a range of documents and resources, from personal letters, to exhibition reviews, to economic surveys of the art market. These allow us to reconstruct the institutions and social context in which art is made.