A view showing the High and Low Lights on the bank of the river Tyne at the town of North Shields. The new High and Low Lights were built in 1808. The rocky shore at the bottom right grounds the scene, and indicates that Wyllie painted this scene from the shore. A flock of seagulls swarm the shore. North Shields was an area of heavy industry, which is indicated in this image by the factories represented along the left coast. Signed by artist.

W. L. Wyllie (1851-1931) was a British Marine artist. Born in London, Wyllie painted, drew, and etched Thames scenes throughout his life. He moved to Portsmouth in 1907, where he continued working, supported the restoration of the Victory and painted the Trafalgar Panorama. Early in his career Wyllie was an illustrator for The Graphic, and he became a member of the Royal Academy in 1907.