The Harbor of St. Malo at Low Tide

c. 1850

attributed to Alfred Herbert

Associated Names
Alfred Herbert

Artist, British, c. 1820 - 1861

The image shows a bustling harbor scene with large fortress walls and various buildings dominating the composition. Sailing vessels are moored on the left, with their masts rising vertically. The artwork is created with fluid brushstrokes, giving a soft quality to the scene. The color palette is muted with beige, brown, and grey tones, with hints of blue. People are scattered along the pathway and near us, and the background features fortified city structures with tall, pointed roofs and arched entrances.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    watercolor with gouache over graphite on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Paul Mellon Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 25.5 x 42.9 cm (10 1/16 x 16 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1986.72.2


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Paul Mellon [1907-1999]; gift 1986 to NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1987

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

Inscriptions

lower right in gray-brown watercolor: Wm Callow; in later hand, lower right verso in pen and brown ink: aquafort

Wikidata ID

Q64636621

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