Lot 152: A Maritime Watercolour Depicting Thames Barges
A landscape-format watercolour painting on paper, featuring bodycolour highlights. The composition depicts two sailing vessels, likely Thames barges, navigating calm waters under a light, expansive sky. The primary vessel is rendered with ochre and sienna-toned sails, with its form and rigging reflected in the water below through series of short, vertical brushstrokes. The work is executed in a representational style characteristic of mid-20th-century British maritime art. A signature is present in the upper right quadrant of the paper; however, the characters are faint and not clearly legible as a specific name. The painting is housed behind glass in a wide, tiered gilt-finish wooden frame with a matching gold-toned mat.
Condition report:
The paper shows visible toning throughout the sky and water areas (photo 1). There is evidence of mat burn and dark staining along the edges where the paper meets the mount, suggesting the use of acidic framing materials (photo 1). The gilt frame exhibits minor surface scuffs and wear to the mitred corners and outer edges. No significant foxing, tears, or water damage are visible to the primary image area.
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