Clarkson Stanfield, R.A. (Sunderland 1793-1869 London)

It has been suggested that the present work may relate to Stanfield's publication Coast Scenery...Views in the British Channel (1836) for which he published two views of Portsmouth, but may have executed a number of alternatives. It is also possible that the watercolour was commissioned by an admirer of his Coast Scenery works. The view is of Portsmouth Harbour from Spithead, which was also illustrated by Joseph Mallord William Turner twice, once for Ports of England (1826-28) and once for Picturesque Views on the Southern Coast of England (1826, unpublished).

We are grateful to Pieter van der Merwe of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.

For another work by the artist see lot 151.