Sailing Vessels Off the Coast

Having lived abroad for 27 years, Somerscales returned to England in 1892. At that time he was a totally unknown artist in this country but he was quick to attract lots of attention with his paintings. From 1893 until a few years prior to his death in 1927, Somerscales exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy. Sailing Vessels Off the Coast shows the artist's skill in depicting the masts and rigging of ships using a broad, painterly style ideal for capturing the movement of waves. The use of energetic and well defined brushmarks for painting the sky also creates a gusty atmosphere to the scene.