A Calm Estuary Scene with Moored Dutch Fishing Boats and Figures on a Jetty

WILLIAM ANDERSON

1757-1837

English School

A Calm Estuary Scene with Moored Dutch Fishing Boats and Figures on a Jetty

Oil on canvas

57.3 x 70 cms

22 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches

William Anderson was born in Scotland but came to work in London living at addresses in Lisson Grove and St. John's Wood among others.

Initially Anderson trained as a shipwright but took to painting subjects connected with ships and the sea. His style is delicate with a soft charm and expertly realised tones that later influenced John Ward of Hull. Although his works were usually simple in subject he was able too to create ones of great complexity as can be seen in Embarkation of Cavalry containing hundreds of figures of detailed accuracy. He worked mostly in a small format apart from works such as the 'Battle of the Nile' which was painted in Hull for Trinity House.

Painting in both oil and watercolours, Anderson's work is on a par with the best Dutch marine painters of this period.

Anderson exhibited 63 paintings including 45 at the Royal Academy between 1787-1834 with titles such as 'The Evening of February 14, 1797, off Cape Vincent', 'View on the Thames - a Calm with Dutch boats', 'Scene off Gibraltar with a Frigate under Reef Topsails' and 'Lord Howe's Fleet off Spithead'. Other paintings were exhibited at the Royal Society (5), British Institute (9) between 1810-1826 and Suffolk Street (4). Examples of his work can be seen in the Ferens Art Gallery in Hull, Graves Art Gallery in Sheffield and the Maritime Museum at Greenwich where there are 10 paintings. Sketch books can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Museum.

William Anderson died on 27 May 1837.

Bibliography:

The Dictionary of British 18th Century Painters - Ellis Waterhouse

Dictionary of British Marine Painters - Arnold Wilson

Dictionary of British Landscape Painters - Maurice Grant