Sailing scene

This 9.25 x 19.375 inch watercolor painting is attributed to a J. Renshaw (possibly Joshua Renshaw). It depicts a landscape scene of sailboats on the water. There are about 6 sailboats that are clearly represented, and many more sailboats that fade into the background of the work and are not as clearly depicted. The sail boats appear to be numbered, perhaps they are participating in a race or event. The most clearly depicted sailboat that stands as the focal point of the work is centered within the composition and blocks the view of another sailboat positioned behind it. On the right hand side of the work, in the background towards the horizon line, there appears to be a congested dock with more sailboats and presumably a light house or some tall structure. The horizon line of the water meets just below the middle of the canvas, with the water darkening in color as it gets closer towards the horizon. The water is painted to appear restless, with many small waves depicted, which adds to the movement and overall energy of the work. The sky that meets the horizon is a very cloudy, but not so much representative of a storm, as the clouds are painted white/ light grey rather than dark grey. The clouds appear to get darker in the upper right corner, perhaps hinting at an incoming storm or a passing storm, and a small opening of blue sky is depicted around the top left corner, again hinting at a passing or coming of a storm. The artist incorporates seagulls into the composition, flying above and around the many sailboats depicted on the water, adding to the overall ambiance of the work. This piece embodies the essence of seascapes; from the sailboats, to the waves, to the lighthouse, to the birds, each element acts as a symbol in the nostalgia one feels from ocean scenes. The artist successfully puts the viewer within the scene by adding these elements, which accurately represent the overall connotations of seascapes.