William Sawrey Gilpin (1762-1843) - Study of waves breaking on a rocky shore

William Sawrey Gilpin was the son of the artist Sawrey Gilpin R.A. and the nephew of Rev. William Gilpin. The artistic background certainly helped and William Sawrey Gilpin became the first President of the Old Water-colour Society in 1805. He resigned the following year but continued to exhibit at the Society until 1815. Gilpin became a drawing master at the R.M.C. Great Marlow and later at Sandhurst.
 
His earliest landscape drawings are 'influenced by those of his artistic family, and have an affinity with those of N. Pocock. Later, he seems to show the influence of Girtin. His favourite and most characteristic colour is greenish-grey, often laid over careful pencil drawing. Due to the variations of style throughout his life, it is possible that drawings attributed to more important artists are in fact by him.' [1]
 
This watercolour has excellent provenance and is an impressive study of waves breaking on a beach. It's an unusual subject matter for Gilpin and may have been influenced by Pocock. The artist is known to have gone on a sketching trip to Ireland and this may be a study from this visit.
 
Medium: watercolour on paper, 8.5 x 25cm, framed (25 x 40cm).
 
Provenance: The Manning Galleries Ltd, 71 Bond Street (label verso)
 
Bibliography:
 
[1] Huon Mallieu (2002), 'The Dictionary of British Watercolour Artists up to 1920: Volume I A-L', Antique Collectors Club: Woodbridge, pp. 269-270. See entry on artist.
 
Condition report:
 
Generally in very good condition, please see photos.