James Baker Pyne

For this view of the harbor city of Portsmouth, James Baker Pyne
places us offshore amid a dramatic and threatening storm. Though
the landmarks of the city are recognizable in the distance, the
principal subject here is the violence of the sea, with small boats
tossed by massive waves as they enter the open waters of the English
Channel. Looking closely at the foamy peaks of the foreground
waves, one can see Pyne’s technique of building white highlights with
a thicker, opaque watercolor pigment, thereby adding volume and
brilliance to these details. He painted several related watercolor views
of important English ports, perhaps hoping to publish the group as a
portfolio of prints or guidebook illustrations.