Blue houses by a shallow estuary

Date made: 1884-1933

Artist: Knox, Archibald

Description: A atmospheric watercolour by Archibald Knox (1864-1933) depicting a coastal estuary scene where the heavy grey skies sit above a thin line of dark buildings next to the estuary. The exact location of the scene is unknown but it may be a view along the south eastern coast of England, possibly at Barton or Birdham, which were popular locations for Knox to paint. Knox's watercolour sketches can be seen as exercises in capturing the light and a single moment in time. The artist is said to have painted his watercolour scenes in a few hours or less, but that he would also sit for hours waiting for the exact light and cloud formations that he wanted to paint.

Measurements: unframed artwork: 44 cm x 57.5 cm

Materials: watercolour on paper

Photograph and description courtesy of Manx National Heritage via the link at imuseum.im.