Moonlight at Giltar Point, Tenby, looking south

A dramatic seascape showing the spectacular cliffs at Giltar Point near Tenby. This small painting is infused with both atmospheric light and the impending dark of twilight. A rocky beach in the foreshore gives way to sheer rock stacks on the left. To the left of centre is a rock formation in the shape of an arch, through which light gleams on the surface of the water. In the centre foreground, a rowing boat with a man and a woman on board is hauled into shore by a man standing in the shallow water. To the left of this group, a child plays with a model sailing boat on the water. Caldey Sound is shown in the distance on the right, with St Margaret's Island and Caldey Island implied towards the horizon.

The painting shows close attention to nature in the detail in the foreground and also in the cloud formation. The dramatic use of light and dark evokes the calm scene of twilight.

Arthur Gilbert was a prolific landscape painter particularly noted for his descriptive scenes of Scotland, Wales, river, twilight and moonlight views. He changed his name from A. G. Williams to Arthur Gilbert to avoid confusion with other members of the Williams family. Gilbert was active in London and exhibited his work regularly at the Royal Academy, the British Institution and the (Royal) Society of British Artists in Suffolk Street from 1838 to 1894. This may be one of four paintings displayed between 1872 and 1874 at the Society of British Artists under a similar title.

Object Details

ID: BHC1944
Collection: Fine art
Type: Painting
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Gilbert, Arthur
Date made: circa 1872-74
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Painting: 178 mm x 254 mm; Frame: 355 x 438 x 60 mm
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