Henry Moore, R.A., R.W.S. (York 1831-1895 Margate)

The present oil is dated 1876, and may have been made in December of that year when Moore made a drawing of the wreck of the Olimpo off the coast at Great Yarmouth. A drawing by Moore of that subject dated 4 December 1876 is recorded (Witt Library, cutting of a reproduction of the drawing).

Martin Hardie wrote feelingly on Moore: 'Like his contemporary, Whistler, but in a different way, he was one of the first to paint the open sea for its own sake. He watched its ever-changing lights and colours, the subtle play of sunshine and shadow in partnership, interweaving and moving to and fro, like dancers in a quadrille, over its surface' (Water-colour Painting in Britain, III, 1968, p. 81).