Shipping in a breeze in the Thames or the Medway
1803
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1803
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This sketch shows a row of old sailing ships on calm water, their tall masts and billowing sails catching the wind. The waves are barely visible, and the boats look small against the pale background. The artist used loose, quick strokes—some lines are dark, others barely there. Notice how the ships’ rigging and sails are drawn with confident, wavy lines, almost like dancing. The date in the corner (April 1803) suggests this was made early in the artist’s career. Check out Romanticism to see how artists used nature and movement in their work.
