Edit Object 43

Absolutely a top flight painting by this impressive British painter of marines, the subtle and placid beauty of the composition draws favorable comparison to the best qualities of Fitz Hugh Lane and J.M.W. Turner, for millions of dollars less. The expansive harbor view does justice to the extremely cosmopolitan make-up of the important and long storied port.

Southern home to the British Royal Navy, its importance is marked even the early second century roman written records. The harbor once possessed a chain which could stretch across the ‘ports mouth' to prevent entry in times of potential attack. So many commercial, passenger and yachting accomplishments and ‘firsts' were achieved here that it is a monstrous task to even attempt to list them. The first drydocks ever built for ship repair were here in 1495. The importance of yacht racing in the nearby Solent and around the Isle of Wight is well documented. Steam power came to prominence here, and is present with the large sidewheel steamships shown among the sailing ships. The period styles of clothing on display suggest just some of the port's importance as an international center for waterborne passenger transportation.

Dated 1880, this work widens the boundaries for David James. He was considered an active London marine painter from the 1880s on, and this work pre-dates his participation in the Royal Academy in 1881, yet exhibits his professional skill was well developed before this. Known primarily as a seascape artist, the luminescence present of this harbor scene surpasses any of the very few others we have ever seen by the artist.

Select a Type
American Ship Portrait
Barometers
Bells
Binnacles & Compasses
Binoculars
Book Maritime
Book Voyages
Books
Books General
Boylhart Collection
Builders Full Models
Builders Half-Model
Canes - Decorative
Canes - Gimmick
Cannons
Carving
Chronometers
Clocks
Contemporary Art
Contemporary Models
Decorative Art - Boxes
Dieppe Models
Diorama Models
Diving Helmets & Equipment
Dockyard Models
Edged Weapons
Engravings
Figureheads
Firearms
Fishing Equipment
Folk Art Models
Furniture
Glass and Pottery
Globes
Jewelry
Joe & Lisa's Art Collection
Lamps
Letters
Lighthouse Artifacts
Limited-Edition Prints
Lithographs
Maps & Charts
Marine Narrative
Marine Narrative at Sea
Medical
Microscopes
Miscellaneous Artifacts
Navigation Instruments - Compass
Navigation Instruments
Navigation Instruments - Sextant
Octants, Quadrants & Backstaffs
Original art
Other Models
Painted Photograph
Passenger Liner Memorabilia
Patent Models
Period Models
Photographs
Pond Models
Pottery
Prints
Prisoner-of-War Artifacts
Prisoner-of-War Models
Sailor Crafts
Sailor Valentines
Sailor Woolworks
Scrimshaw Artifacts
Scrimshaw Private
Scrimshaw Teeth
Sea Chests
Sextants
Ship Clocks
Ship Hardwares
Ship in a Bottle
Ship Log Books
Ships Flogging Whip
Signed Documents
Silver and Silver Plated Models
Speaking Trumpets
Statues
Steam Engine Models
Steam Models
Sundials
Sword
Tankards & Pitchers
Telescopes
Tillers, Rudders & Yokes
Toy Models
Trinity Boxes
Trophys & Presentions
Voyages & Travels
Watches
Whaling