The Thames at Chiswick

Mary Potter 1900 - 1981

Summary

The subject shows the view from the window of the artist's home in Chiswick, looking out over Chiswick island. In this print the viewer is positioned as if they are standing on the balcony looking out at the view of the River Thames as it stretches out into the distance. The view is framed on the left hand side by a leafed tree whose branches stretch towards the centre, and on the right hand side by the edge of the balcony that is just visible. The balcony, which fills the foreground, is divided from its surroundings by iron railings stopping the step down onto the grassy verge visible in front of it. Set upon a table in the centre of the composition is a double handled glass vase filled with a plant that has delicate white flowers and large flat green leaves. As it is set in the foreground the vase is the largest feature within the composition, juxtaposing domesticated nature with the rural landscape in the background. The depiction of the river is very romanticised; it is shown as a peaceful, soft blue-grey feature of London as it curves round and recedes towards the horizon. In the top right buildings can be seen lining the river’s banks but these too are faintly described and they are less distinctively shown than the steam chimney visible on an island in the river. During the 1930s Mary Potter lived at No. 2 Riverside in Chiswick Mall with her husband, Stephen Potter, an author and BBC Producer. It was an area of London popular with writers and politicians. Her studio was the front room on the first floor with a view of the river Thames as seen here through the large window pane.