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Douglas sands: a summer morning in 1860

Date made: 1860

Artist: Nicholson, John Miller

Description: Douglas Sands - A Summer Morning in 1860 by John Miller Nicholson (1901)

This stunning painting of a summer morning in Douglas was painted by John Miller Nicholson, a prolific Manx artist. He often painted scenes of his hometown Douglas, which captured the activity and everyday life of the people in the town – especially fishermen and maritime scenes. The artist had a strong connection to the sea, which he expressed through his work; his grandfather was a mariner by trade.

The painting brings to the viewer a sense of calm and tranquillity. The artist has achieved this with creating subtle reflections on the bay using a light palette and expertly blending the changes in colour together. He also achieves a great sense of perspective with the lightness and blending of Douglas Head in the background, which contrasts with the colourful orange-brown of the fishing boat's sail in the foreground.

Nicholson manages to produce a realistic scene without producing the image in much graphic detail. His brushstrokes are quick and light, with the detail lying in the colour, rather than specific features. The hazy scene is one that many Manx residents or holiday-goers will recall seeing on an early morning in Douglas Bay, creating a connection between the painting and the viewer.

Measurements: unframed artwork: 70 cm x 111 cm

Materials: oil on canvas

Object name: painting

Collection: Art Collection

ID number: 1954-2501/042

Subject tags : #artgalleryplace

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