Sailboats on Southampton River

1819

John Linnell

Associated Names
John Linnell

Artist, British, 1792 - 1882

The image shows a seascape painted from a distant viewpoint. The water extends towards the horizon with faint outlines of land masses and sailboats. The brushstrokes are delicate and fluid, conveying calmness and tranquility with soft blending. The color palette is muted with tones of beige, gray, and pale blue. The water close to us is depicted with wide strokes suggesting slight ripples. Sailboats and land lines add detail while maintaining a sense of stillness and openness.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    watercolor on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Paul Mellon Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 15.6 x 22.3 cm (6 1/8 x 8 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1986.72.10

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1987

  • English Drawings and Watercolors, 1630-1850, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1987-1988, no cat.

1993

  • The Great Age of British Watercolors 1750-1880, Royal Academy of Arts, London; National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1993, no. 208.

2016

  • In Celebration of Paul Mellon, NGA, 2016.

Bibliography

1993

  • Wilton, Andrew and Anne Lyles. The Great Age of British Watercolours 1750-1880. Exh. cat. Royal Academy of Arts, London; National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1993: no. 208.

Inscriptions

in unknown hand, across bottom in graphite: Southampton River Isle of Wight in Distance 1819; lower right in pen and brown ink: J Linnell; in unknown hand, center verso in graphite: Linnell

Wikidata ID

Q64582844

You may be interested in

Loading Results