Samuel Prout (1783-1852) - Vessels anchored off a jetty

Samuel Prout is predominantly known for his continental street scenes and impressive Venetian landscapes. He was also a very good marine painter and produced many fine examples of this.
 
'Having grown up around Plymouth Harbour, maritime subjects had enormous appeal for Prout. Even after 1820, when he otherwise concentrated almost exclusively on Continental subjects, he occasionally exhibited pictures of shipping, particularly the old hulks which were, in a sense, the naval equivalent of his gothic buildings. During the years, when he lived in Hastings, from 1836 to 1844, when Prout was not prevented by poor health from completing other work, he seems to have spent all of his time on the beach, to judge from the large numbers of sketches in the 1852 Studio Sale. Small watercolours of boats drawn up on the shore were a popular commodity in Prout's early repertoire, and many survive.' [1]
 
This watercolour is a detailed example of Prout's skill in maritime art. It is likely a drawing around Plymouth or somewhere on the south coast near to Hastings or Dover. The building on the right may help to locate the scene.
 
Medium: watercolour on paper, indistinctly signed l.r. 'Prout', 19.8 x 29.2cm, framed (44 x 59.4cm).
 
Provenance: Michael Spratt, English Watercolours dealer (label verso); Westgate House, Bury St Edmunds.
 
Bibliography:
 
[1] Timothy Wilcox (2017), Samuel Prout 1783-1852: A Grand Tour in Watercolour, John Spink Publishing: London, p.32.
 
Condition report: generally very good for its age. There is a small bit of time staining. This is more obvious on the edges of the watercolour and in the sky. The frame is in good condition with a small amount of wear, there are a couple of thunder flies on the mount under the glass. Please see photos.