Yacht racing on the Solent
Phillip WILSON STEER: artist
The Solent is the stretch of water between the Isle of Wight and the south coast of England. When Steer painted this picture of racing yachts the annual summer regatta was one of the most fashionable sporting events in England. Steer spent the summer of 1892 on the Isle of Wight and his sketchbooks are filled with drawings of yachts. While it is most probable that this work was completed in his London studio, the painting has been brought to life by his direct observation of nature and his desire to capture the visual effects of light on water. (August 2018)
The Solent is the stretch of water between the Isle of Wight and the south coast of England. At the time that Steer painted this picture of racing yachts the annual summer regatta was one of the most fashionable sporting events in England. Steer spent the summer of 1892 at Cowes on the Isle of Wight and his sketchbooks are filled with drawings of yachts made in the open air, outside the confines of the studio. While it is most probable that this work was completed in Steer’s London studio, based on his sketches, the painting has been brought to life by his direct observation of nature and his desire to capture the visual effects of light on water.
Steer was influenced by French impressionism, in particular the paintings of Monet, Seurat and Pissarro. His indebtedness to them is evident both in his choice of subject – a modern image of the leisure activities of the wealthy – and his technique of small, fragmented brushstrokes.
The Art Gallery of Western Australia started collecting works of art in 1895, and this painting was bought directly from the artist in 1898, on the recommendation of fellow English artist George Clausen.
The Solent is the stretch of water between the Isle of Wight and the south coast of England. At the time that Steer painted this picture of racing yachts the annual summer regatta was one of the most fashionable sporting events in England. Steer spent the summer of 1892 at Cowes on the Isle of Wight and his sketchbooks are filled with drawings of yachts made in the open air, outside the confines of the studio. While it is most probable that this work was completed in Steer’s London studio, based on his sketches, the painting has been brought to life by his direct observation of nature and his desire to capture the visual effects of light on water.
Steer was influenced by French impressionism, in particular the paintings of Monet, Seurat and Pissarro. His indebtedness to them is evident both in his choice of subject – a modern image of the leisure activities of the wealthy – and his technique of small, fragmented brushstrokes.
The Art Gallery of Western Australia started collecting works of art in 1895, and this painting was bought directly from the artist in 1898, on the recommendation of fellow English artist George Clausen.
Title
Yacht racing on the Solent
Artist/Maker and role
Phillip WILSON STEER: artist
Date
1893
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
60.3 x 75.9 cm
80 x 95.5 cm (framed)
80 x 95.5 cm (framed)
Credit line
Purchased 1898
The State Art Collection, The Art Gallery of Western Australia
Accession number
1898/00P1