Seascape, Le Croisic

A seascape showing a calm sea, made while Everett was staying at Le Croisic, France. It concentrates on the effects of light created by the setting sun on the sky and also by reflection on the sea. The sketch shows waves breaking close to shore using impasto in short brush strokes of paint in the foreground. The wave in the foreground is shown breaking in sequence in a series of foam-topped curves. Hatched colour forms the underside of the waves with lighter tones creating the effect of froth. The flat pale lemon-coloured sky is flecked with brilliant yellow-orange brushstrokes to indicate wisps of cloud. A band of lilac haze marks the horizon and the careful use of colour implies cold wintry conditions.

During December 1921 he stayed at the Fort de L'Ocean hotel, Le Croisic, near Saint-Nazaire, in the Loire-Atlantique. The hotel was positioned above the rocks and afforded a panoramic view of the sea. The only guest in the hotel, he sat in the hotel's glass verandah overlooking the sea and consequently described it as one of the best places he had stayed and sketched. Everett was able to see the sun rise and set over the Atlantic. He frequently sailed to Saint-Nazaire, and went on several trips in a four-masted barque called 'Hagomont', since he was friendly with the skipper. He also recorded visits to the fishing ports of Piriac, Pamic and Nantes. He produced a large number of paintings during his stay, demonstrating his painterly concerns with the effects of light on the sea and sky. The painting is inscribed 'Le Cros' on the reverse.

Object Details

ID: BHC0049
Collection: Fine art
Type: Painting
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Everett, (Herbert Barnard) John
Date made: 1921
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Bequeathed by the artist 1949.
Measurements: Painting: 255 x 355 mm