William Callow, R.W.S. (London 1812-1908 Great Missenden)

During the summer of 1836 Callow undertook a walking tour through Southern France, which he recorded in detail in his dairy. He arrived in Marseilles via steamer from Arles 24 July and recorded the fine view that this method of travel afforded of the port, with the mountains behind. It was probably this arrival which inspired the present watercolour.

There are at least two other similar views of the port of Marseilles. In about 1837, he was asked to produce two watercolours for lottery prizes for the Société des Amis des Arts and one of these being a view of the 'Port of Marseilles', which was won by King Louis-Philippe. A further watercolour of the same subject was exhibited at the 'Royal Society of Painters in Watercolour' in 1884 and is now in Towneley Hall Art Gallery and Museums, Burnley.