French Fishing Boats off a Rocky Coast

1833

William Callow

Associated Names
William Callow

Artist, British, 1812 - 1908

The painting depicts a scene with boats on the water near rocky cliffs. The horizon is low in the composition, with soft clouds and blue hues dominating the sky. The brushstrokes convey the motion of the water and breeze. Two boats are shown, one with a single occupant and the other with figures, potentially fishing. The scene features a warm palette with tans and ochres on the cliffs, contrasting with the blues and grays of the sky and water. High cliff formations are seen in the distance, with silhouettes of birds in flight.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    watercolor and white gouache over graphite on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    Overall: 17.5 x 26.5 cm (6 7/8 x 10 7/16 in.)
    overall: 27.9 x 35.6 cm (11 x 14 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1985.33.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(sale, Christie's, London, 20 March 1984, lot 152); (P.& D. Colnaghi, Ltd., London); acquired 1985 by the NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1986

  • Graphics Survey Exhibition, National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., April 1986.

1987

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

2006

  • The Artist's Vision: Romantic Traditions in Great Britain, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2006 - 2007

Inscriptions

lower left in brown ink: W. Callow, 1833

Watermarks

Fleur-de-lis in shield? (partial)

Wikidata ID

Q64636618

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