Thomas Sewell Robins (1814-1880) - Fishing boats off the Needles

Robins was predominantly a marine painter with a similar style to George Chambers and Charles Bentley. He mainly painted in watercolour and was elected to the New Watercolour Society in 1839 where he exibited 317 works before resigning in 1866. His watercolours always convey a sense of atmospheric effect and are finely detailed. Robins was admitted on April 22nd 1829 'into the Royal Academy of Schools where his professor for painting was Thomas Phillips, and lecturer for perspective, J.M.W. Turner.' [1]
 
This watercolour is particularly large in size and may have been an exhibition piece by Robins. It depicts a fishing boat with the Needles prominent to the left of the composition. The artist has used bodycolour and scratching out to highlight the sea in particular. This is a superb example of Robins skill as a marine artist.
 
Medium: watercolour over pencil heightened with bodycolour and scratching out, signed and dated l.r. 'TS Robins 1856', 37.5  x 53.5cm, framed.
 
Provenance: Anonymous sale, Sotheby's, 14th November 1991, lot 149 (see labels verso); James Hall Collection.
 
Bibliography:
 
[1] E.H.H. Archibald, 'Dictionary of Sea Painters', Antique Collectors' Club: Woodbridge, 1980. See page 163.