This late 19th-century watercolour by British artist William Stephen Coleman (1829-1904) depicts an atmospheric coastal view with sunset.
As the sun slips surreptitiously beyond the horizon, hidden by a dark backlit cloud, pinkish tints shimmer across the outgoing tide. Seagulls gather above ragged driftwood.
Coleman was an accomplished colourist and primarily known for his misty-eyed renderings of youthful subjects. He’s considered part of the aesthetic movement, which lauded ‘art for art’s sake’ and downplayed the value of deeper meaning. His landscapes are less common but still convey his desire to elevate the visual appeal of the natural world. Note the range of tones he’s adopted to describe this majestic sky.
Monogrammed/dated lower left, framed and glazed.
Medium: Watercolour on paper
Overall size: 20½” x 18” / 52cm x 46cm
Year of creation: 1899
Condition: Artwork presents well. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £13,172
Our reference: BRV1470
William Stephen Coleman was an accomplished British painter predominantly known for his fine classically-inspired watercolours. Initially he trained as a surgeon before pursuing a career in the arts. His works are often compared with those of eminent aesthetic movement artist Albert Joseph Moore (1841-1893). He's represented in numerous public collections.
Learn more about William Stephen Coleman in our directory.
We care profoundly about our role as custodians and every piece in the collection has been assessed by our conservator. When required, we undertake professional restoration carefully using reversible techniques and adopt a light touch to retain the aged charm of each work. We also restore frames rather than replace them as many are original and selected by the artists themselves.
