Drake's Island, Plymouth Sound

Luny was one of the most prolific of all marine painters. He continued to produce large numbers of pictures even when, in old age, he was crippled by arthritis. He was a pupil of Francis Holman (died 1790) and his marine expertise came from his time serving in the Navy. It is likely that this set of paintings was executed during a visit to Plymouth on Naval duties. It is rare for a group of pictures like these to have survived together, as there was always the temptation to sell them separately.