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.