Coast Scene
Vernet's marines were immensely popular with English collectors in the 18th century. This is an unusually small work, almost a cabinet picture. In spite of the small scale the artist has been preoccupied with a variety of weather effects within this one picture and with the dramatic effect of the receding rocky coast. The contrast with the English, and more specifically Hull, marine tradition could not be greater. Vernet is entirely concerned with atmosphere and compositional effect. This is true even when the artist was painting topographical views of specific ports.
