What characterises Victorian marine art?

Victorian marine art encompasses nineteenth-century paintings focused on ocean views, bustling ports, shipping vessels, and coastal life, reflecting the maritime heritage and expansion of the era.

What traditional materials were used in nineteenth-century marine oil paintings?

Artists traditionally applied oil-based pigments onto stretched flax linen or cotton canvas, often finishing the work with a protective varnish and mounting it in carved giltwood frames.

How can one identify authentic oil paintings from this period?

Authentic period paintings typically demonstrate natural surface craquelure, age-appropriate darkening of varnish, period-correct stretcher bars, and historic frame construction techniques.

How do you style a classic marine oil painting in modern interiors?

A framed seascape can be positioned above a fireplace mantelpiece or wooden sideboard, complementing both traditional panelling and minimalist contemporary backdrops.

What is the recommended method for preserving antique oil canvas paintings?

Keep canvas paintings away from direct sunlight, radiator heat, and fluctuating humidity, dusting the surface lightly with a dry, soft-bristled brush.

for sale €10,413 $11,303

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Isle of Man Painting

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Original Oil Seascape

Id #SA932565

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Seascape Oil Painting of Douglas Harbour by William Edward Webb

Name: Seascape Oil Painting of Douglas Harbour by William Edward Webb
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA932565
Price: 8900 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Benton Fine Art

Description

William Edward Webb

British, (1862-1903)

Douglas Harbour, Isle of Man

Oil on canvas, signed

Image size: 21.5 inches x 37.5 inches

Size including frame: 33 inches x 49 inches

A busy quayside painting by William Edward Webb of Douglas Harbour on the Isle of man. Fishermen in boats can be seen preparing to head ashore as other figures make their way along the quayside.

William Edward Webb was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in 1862 to William Benjamin Webb and Ellen Butler. His father was a printer and an artist and it is highly likely he received tuition from him. Following the death of his mother, his father remarried and moved the family to Manchester sometime after 1871.

By the 1880’s, Webb had started working as an artist and later set up a studio at 30 Exchange Buildings in Manchester. He began exhibiting at the Manchester City Art Gallery from 1890, where he showed more than 60 paintings during his lifetime. He also exhibited at the Royal Academy and Walker Art Gallery Liverpool from 1892. He married Clara Foster in 1899 and the couple lived at 1 Sylvan Grove, Chorlton Upon Medlock in South Manchester with their daughter Florrie. He became friends with the artist Walter Emsley (1860-1938) who also lived in Manchester.

Although he spent the rest of his life in Manchester, Webb travelled throughout the UK painting coastal and marine scenes around the main ports and harbours. He spent a great deal of time in the Isle of Mann painting numerous scenes along the coast including views of Peel and Douglas Harbour, subjects he frequently returned to. Webb painted in a highly distinctive style; loose and informal but which manages to retain the sense of perspective. He struggled with ill health and depression throughout his life which sadly led to his suicide 9 November, 1903. In 1974, a retrospective exhibition was held at The Old Customs House and Old Solent House in Lymington, which brought a new found interest in his work.

His paintings are now highly sought after and are represented in many collections and Museums including the Astley Hall Museum, Harris Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, Manx Museum, Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art, Shipley Art Gallery and Tullie House Museum.

Presentation: The painting is housed in its original gilt frame which is in excellent condition.

Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.

© Benton Fine Art

Physical Dimensions

Height

84cm (33.07")

Width

124.5cm (49.02")

Depth

9cm (3.54")

Declaration

Benton Fine Art has dated this Antique Seascape Oil Painting to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA932565

Dealers Notes

Members of the British Antique Dealers Association (BADA) the London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association (LAPADA).

We use a professional, fully insured and tracked door to door service for our UK and international deliveries. Please contact us for further information and shipping quotes.

Viewing is by APPOINTMENT ONLY. However, we can also arrange for you to view the item in your home, depending on the location.

For a wider range of stock please visit www.bentonfineart.com.

If you would like to purchase this item or have any questions, please email us at pictures@bentonfineart.com or call 07710 540549.

© Benton Fine Art

Description

William Edward Webb

British, (1862-1903)

Douglas Harbour, Isle of Man

Oil on canvas, signed

Image size: 21.5 inches x 37.5 inches

Size including frame: 33 inches x 49 inches

A busy quayside painting by William Edward Webb of Douglas Harbour on the Isle of man.

“

Fishermen in boats can be seen preparing to head ashore as other figures make their way along the quayside.

Benton Fine Art

fig 1. A nineteenth-century marine oil painting depicting sailing vessels in a harbour alongside stone quay buildings, set within a carved gold gilt frame. — fig 1. Seascape Oil Painting of Douglas Harbour by William Edward Webb

William Edward Webb was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in 1862 to William Benjamin Webb and Ellen Butler. His father was a printer and an artist and it is highly likely he received tuition from him. Following the death of his mother, his father remarried and moved the family to Manchester sometime after 1871.

fig 2. A nineteenth-century marine oil painting depicting sailing vessels in a harbour alongside stone quay buildings, set within a carved gold gilt frame. — fig 2. Seascape Oil Painting of Douglas Harbour by William Edward Webb

By the 1880’s, Webb had started working as an artist and later set up a studio at 30 Exchange Buildings in Manchester. He began exhibiting at the Manchester City Art Gallery from 1890, where he showed more than 60 paintings during his lifetime. He also exhibited at the Royal Academy and Walker Art Gallery Liverpool from 1892. He married Clara Foster in 1899 and the couple lived at 1 Sylvan Grove, Chorlton Upon Medlock in South Manchester with their daughter Florrie. He became friends with the artist Walter Emsley (1860-1938) who also lived in Manchester.

fig 3. A nineteenth-century marine oil painting depicting sailing vessels in a harbour alongside stone quay buildings, set within a carved gold gilt frame. — fig 3. Seascape Oil Painting of Douglas Harbour by William Edward Webb

Although he spent the rest of his life in Manchester, Webb travelled throughout the UK painting coastal and marine scenes around the main ports and harbours. He spent a great deal of time in the Isle of Mann painting numerous scenes along the coast including views of Peel and Douglas Harbour, subjects he frequently returned to. Webb painted in a highly distinctive style; loose and informal but which manages to retain the sense of perspective. He struggled with ill health and depression throughout his life which sadly led to his suicide 9 November, 1903. In 1974, a retrospective exhibition was held at The Old Customs House and Old Solent House in Lymington, which brought a new found interest in his work.

fig 4. A nineteenth-century marine oil painting depicting sailing vessels in a harbour alongside stone quay buildings, set within a carved gold gilt frame. — fig 4. Seascape Oil Painting of Douglas Harbour by William Edward Webb

His paintings are now highly sought after and are represented in many collections and Museums including the Astley Hall Museum, Harris Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, Manx Museum, Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art, Shipley Art Gallery and Tullie House Museum.

fig 5. A nineteenth-century marine oil painting depicting sailing vessels in a harbour alongside stone quay buildings, set within a carved gold gilt frame. — fig 5. Seascape Oil Painting of Douglas Harbour by William Edward Webb

Presentation: The painting is housed in its original gilt frame which is in excellent condition.

Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.