New Pamono Clarkson Frederick Stanfield RA RBA, Off Fuenterrabia, Spain, 1851, Watercolour

An original c.1851 watercolour painting, Clarkson Frederick Stanfield RA RBA, Off Fuenterrabia, Spain.A highly atmospheric small sketch by Clarkson Frederick Stanfield RA RBA (1793–1867) showing a view off Fuenterrabia on the Basque coast of Spain, near the French border. The distinctive Baroque 18th-century bell tower of the Church of La Asunción defines the coastline, whilst figures busy themselves on the small vessel braving the cresting waves at the river mouth.Clarkson Stanfield toured regularly abroad; in 1851 he travelled in Southern France, the Pyrenees and Northern Spain, with his wife and daughters. A resulting picture from this tour was ‘Guarda Costa off Fuentarrabia’ (Proby Collection); a sketchbook of related drawings is now in the Royal Maritime Museum, Greenwich (ID: ZBA4144).This captivating sketch in graphite, watercolour wash and white bodycolour combines the two most compelling features of Stanfield as an artist: his early experience as a seaman and his successful career as a scenic painter. His knowledge of the sea brought true sensitivity and realism to his maritime subjects, whilst his training for the stage meant he was highly attuned to the power of atmospheric effects and suggested narrative.John Ruskin considered his treatment of the sea and clouds to be of a very high order and believed his sketched works, especially in watercolour, to be superior to the often contrived picturesque qualities of many of his exhibited oils.On paper laid down on backing paper. Please note the small size of this artwork.All artworks come with a Certificate of Authenticity and—if it is a collection artwork—its accompanying collection text or artist biography. Signed: No. Inscribed: Inscribed on backing paper verso with title and artist name. Height: 9.7cm (3.8″) Width: 15cm (5.9″) Condition: Toning across the sheet as shown. There are adhesive marks to the verso of the backing paper. Please see photos for detail. Presented: Unframed.