English school from the end of the 19th century - beginning of the 20th century.

English school of the late nineteenth-early twentieth century.
"Navy".
Oil on canvas.
Signed (illegible) in the lower left corner.
Measurements: 56 x 70 cm; 80,5 x 95,5 cm (frame).

In this navy with sailboats, the sky occupies great part of the composition and is covered with dense and gray clouds, creating a dramatic and stormy climate. The surface of the sea reflects these dark tones, interrupted by silvery sheens and touches of white that suggest the movement of the water and the reflection of light on the waves.

In the foreground, a dark-hulled boat appears with its sails set and its frame covered with snow. A short distance away, two large three-masted sailing ships can be distinguished, moored side by side, with rigging and rigging carefully delineated.

The painter uses an energetic and pasty brushstroke, especially in the boats and the sea foam, achieving vivid textures that contrast with the softness of the sky. The diagonals of the masts and sails add dynamism to the scene, while the reflections in the water convey a sense of depth.

The emphasis on the hallmarks of light contrasts, as well as the atmospheric tension, reinforce the sense of grandeur of the sea and the fragility of the boats.