This early 20th-century oil painting by British artist Elijah Albert Cox (1870-1955) depicts a vibrant coastal scene with fishermen’s wives and the returning fleet.
Under a restless sky abundant with disparate clouds, two fishing boats head for the shore. The sea shimmering with blue tones, lifted with a splash of radiant white. Two fisherwomen navigate a dike, laden with baskets, anticipating the catch. While, in the foreground, dapples of light foliage rendered with impasto complete this sparkling symphony.
Cox was a masterful colourist, imbuing his works with a sense of post-impressionistic lustre. Born amid the vigour of East End London, he’s transposed its buoyancy onto this coastal environment.
Signed/dated lower left and framed.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 43½” x 35½” / 111cm x 91cm
Year of creation: 1900
Condition: Artwork presents well. Canvas relined. Craquelure but the paint is stable. Old restorations. Frame with some light wear.
Elijah Albert Cox trained at the People’s Palace Technical School, Whitechapel, and Bolt Court School. He exhibited at the Royal Academy, Royal Institute, Whitechapel Art Gallery and elsewhere. His works are held in numerous public collections including at the British Museum, V&A, London Transport Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, and Portsmouth Museum.
Learn more about Elijah Albert Cox 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 often restore frames rather than replace them as many are original and selected by the artists themselves.
