Thomas Bush Hardy (1842-1897) - Littlehampton Pier

Thomas Bush Hardy's maritime works are instantly identifiable and this work titled 'Littlehampton Pier' is a great example. The artist painted extensively on the south coast of England. There are several known works of the seaside West Sussex town painted by Hardy. It is close to Shoreham and also Portsmouth which the artist was drawn to a lot.
 
This composition is a dramatic depiction of Littlehampton's Pier painted on a breezy day. Hardy has used his typical brown for the sea and the harbour is partially visible with a boat on the left handside. It is similar to many of Hardy's watercolours of French piers such as at Boulogne.
 
This work is likely in its original frame from the 19th century and there is a Christie's label from 1917 verso.
 
Medium: watercolour on paper, signed l.l. 'T. B. Hardy Littlehampton Pier', 25.8 x 38.5 cm, framed (48.2 x 60.8cm).
 
Provenance: Christie's sale, 11th May 1917, lot 39 (label and stencils verso)
 
Bibliography:
 
[1] David Kirby-Welch and John Morton Lee (2009) Thomas Bush Hardy 1842-1897: Master Painter of Marine and Coastal Watercolours, Antique Collectors' Club: Woodbridge.
 
Condition report: generally in very good for its age. There is a small bit of time fading. The frame is likely to be the original and shows a bit of wear. Please see photos.