William Lionel Wyllie

William Lionel Wyllie painted ships and the sea. Busy Thames traffic, warships in Portsmouth Harbour, tugs, barges and sailing boats on choppy water: his work is both accurate and atmospheric, with strong light across the water.

He was born in London and entered the Royal Academy Schools at fifteen. At eighteen he won the Turner Gold Medal. He painted in oils and watercolours and was also a fine etcher. He became a full member of the Royal Academy in 1907 and spent much of his later life at Portsmouth. His huge panorama of the Battle of Trafalgar, unveiled by George V in 1930, is displayed at the Royal Navy museum there. His works are in the Tate and the National Maritime Museum.

A Coastal Scene at Sunset and A Ship and Seabirds near the Coast show his quieter side. Look at the reflections and the play of light on sails.