Chelsea Old Church from Battersea; and Swan Tavern Battersea (illustrated)

Walter Greaves and his brother Henry, with who he worked closely, were the sons of a Chelsea boat builder and followers of James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903). They first met Whistler when he moved to Cheyne Walk in 1863 and the three becamed inseperable friends for the next twenty years. While the Greaves brothers taught Whistler to row, he encouraged them to paint and draw. Whistler's influence can be seen in the monochromatic palette of the present group of drawings.
The view of the Swan Tavern is taken looking down river. The Bridge is Old Battersea Bridge built by Henry Holland in 1771-2 and demolished in 1881.

Another watercolour of the Swan Tavern was sold Christie's, London, 26 November 1999, lot 81, £6,600.