Scene Near London Bridge

Fresh Wharf, once a busy cargo company, managed over 300,000 tons of cargo annually, earning its status as the second largest of the legal quays. In the 19th century, it specialised in importing foreign fruits, silk and wine, with significant contributions from the Canary Islands, Azores and the Mediterranean. By the 20th century, the wharf also welcomed passenger steamships, with over 250,000 passengers passing through each year. The wharf fell to disuse when trade moved to a container port downriver, leading to its closure in 1970 and eventual demolition, making way for office buildings.

The painting captures the activity of the dock, centred around the focal steamship. The ship’s immense size is emphasised by the small figures working around it. In the background London Bridge is visible, with a red double-decker bus captured on it - an iconic symbol of London. The composition is predominantly focused on the right side of the canvas, where cranes, billowing smoke , and numerous workers create a sense of bustling activity. In contrast, the left side of the composition is calmer with less activity creating a stillness. Edward also emphasises the industrialisation of the scene through his use of earthy, neutral tones.

Edward’s was born in Bengal, India. He studied at Regent Street Polytechnic and exhibited widely at the Royal Academy of Arts, Royal Cambrian Academy, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours.