John Brett, A.R.A. (1831-1902)

The view depicted here is probably based on the artist's observations of the Bristol Channel from the Gower peninsula in 1887. In his later years he increasingly based his larger works on sketches made earlier in his career. In its depiction of a variety of craft from a cliff-top vantage point it is reminiscent of several of Brett's earlier RA exhibition pieces, most notably Britannia's Realm, 1880 (Tate Gallery, London), The Earth's shadow on the sky, 1888 (Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens), and Pearly Summer, 1892 (sold in these Rooms, 19 February 2003).

We are grateful to Charles Brett for his assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.