Hubert Thornley

19th Century seascape oil painting of shipping by moonlight at Whitby

C1880

Hubert Thornley British, (exh. 1858 -1898) Fresh Breeze off Scarborough Oil on canvas, signed Image size: 13.5 inches x 11.5 inches Size including frame: 19.5 inches x 17.5 inches A...

George Stainton British, (1838-1900) Fishing Vessels off a Harbour Early Morning Oil on canvas, signed Image size: 23.25 inches x 35.25 inches Size including frame: 31 inches x 43 inches A wonderful coastal marine painting of boats off a busy harbour at dawn by George Stainton. A large ship is depicted having weighed anchor and with sails unfurled as a supply boat arrives port side. In the foreground, a group of fishermen can be seen in a rowing boat waiting for their next catch. In the distance, lies a busy harbour, possibly Chatham Dockyard. George Stainton was a marine and landscape artist who was born in Aston, Birmingham in October 1838 to John Stainton and Ann Horton. By the age of 12, he was working as a paper mache painter and then later as a Japanner before becoming a full-time artist. He specialised in painting seascapes and river scenes in the style of Abraham Hulk and was influenced by the Dutch school. He exhibited at the Royal Society of Birmingham Artists from 1865 and also at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. He married Clara Adelaide Mason (née shears), a widow on 8 November, 1866 and together they lived in Addesley Street, Aston. The couple had 8 children and one of their sons Ernest Stainton became a lithographic artist. During the mid to late 1870’s he lived at Walnut Terrace in Kyrwicks Lane in the Sparkbrook area of Birmingham. However, by 1881, Stainton had moved to nearby Moseley Road where many Birmingham artists of the industrial period lived and also took up photography. Sometime during the late 1880’s early 1890’s, he made his final move to Pembroke Villa, 14 St Pauls Road, Moseley Road. He died at his home on 25 April, 1900. Whilst Stainton lived in Birmingham all his life, he travelled around the country painting coastal views of the Bristol Channel, Portsmouth and the Medway, as well as river scenes of the Thames, Tyne and Mersey. He also visited Scotland and Northern France. His works are beautifully detailed and show a masterful understanding of the moods of the weather and movement of the water. His paintings have always been popular when they appear on the art market. Presentation: The painting is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition. Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished. © Benton Fine Art

George Stainton British, (1838-1900) Twilight off Gravesend Oil on canvas, signed & dated 1877, old label verso Image size: 23.25 inches x 35.25 inches Size including frame: 29.25 ...

William Edward Webb British, (1862-1903) Douglas Harbour, Isle of Man Oil on canvas, signed Image size: 21.5 inches x 37.5 inches Size including frame: 33 inches x 49 inches A busy quayside painting by William Edward Webb of Douglas Harbour on the Isle of man. Fishermen in boats can be seen preparing to head ashore as other figures make their way along the quayside. William Edward Webb was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in 1862 to William Benjamin Webb and Ellen Butler. His father was a printer and an artist and it is highly likely he received tuition from him. Following the death of his mother, his father remarried and moved the family to Manchester sometime after 1871. By the 1880’s, Webb had started working as an artist and later set up a studio at 30 Exchange Buildings in Manchester. He began exhibiting at the Manchester City Art Gallery from 1890, where he showed more than 60 paintings during his lifetime. He also exhibited at the Royal Academy and Walker Art Gallery Liverpool from 1892. He married Clara Foster in 1899 and the couple lived at 1 Sylvan Grove, Chorlton Upon Medlock in South Manchester with their daughter Florrie. He became friends with the artist Walter Emsley (1860-1938) who also lived in Manchester. Although he spent the rest of his life in Manchester, Webb travelled throughout the UK painting coastal and marine scenes around the main ports and harbours. He spent a great deal of time in the Isle of Mann painting numerous scenes along the coast including views of Peel and Douglas Harbour, subjects he frequently returned to. Webb painted in a highly distinctive style; loose and informal but which manages to retain the sense of perspective. He struggled with ill health and depression throughout his life which sadly led to his suicide 9 November, 1903. In 1974, a retrospective exhibition was held at The Old Customs House and Old Solent House in Lymington, which brought a new found interest in his work. His paintings are now highly sought after and are represented in many collections and Museums including the Astley Hall...

"Moonlight" oil on canvas, XIXth century by R. T. Stuart. The painting is in good condition, to report some old restorations on the canvas. The original frame in wood and gilded stu...

Artist/ School: Attributed to John Paul (1804-1887, British) Title: Moonlit Coastal Scene Medium: oil painting on board, framed Painting: 8 x 10 inches plus its frame Provenance:...

William Thornley was a painter of coastal scenes whose work is very similar to Hubert and Charles Thornley, who may have been members of the same family. He painted scenes of genre, architecture, and landscapes as well. A number of the landscapes were of Belgium, Holland, Italy, and Norway. However, it is for his seascapes that he is best remembered. Thornley’s works are beautifully detailed and show a masterful understanding of the moods of both weather and sea. They are often small in size and put together with fine detail and great artistic merit. Thornley’s fishing scenes are spirited and similar in style to those of “Jock” Wilson, and are often painted in pairs. Thornley’s works have always been popular when they appear on the art market. He was believed to have first exhibited marines at the Royal Academy in 1859 from an address in Paddington, London and also at the British Institution from 1861 until it closed in 1867. He continued to exhibit at the Royal Academy until 1898. Thornley also exhibited at the Paris Salon and the Salon of French Artists, receiving an honorable mention in 1881 and a third-place medal in 1888. William Thornley also went by the names Georges William and William...

This antique oil on canvas maritime painting is alluring due to the nighttime setting with ghostly ships under a gloomy full moon with looming clouds and uneasy waters. This little p...