Eastbourne

Artist Philip Wilson Steer (Birkenhead, England, 1860 - 1942)

AttributedFormerly attributed to Charles Conder (London, England, 1868 - 1909)

Date1906

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 36.6 cm, Width: 46.2 cm
Frame: Height: 52.6 cm, Width: 62.9 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1947 with income from the Murray Fund.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003320

Keywords

About MePhilip Wilson Steer was a key figure in bringing the influence of French art to Britain, especially that of Impressionism. He was initially strongly influenced by James McNeill Whistler and subsequently came into contact with the French avant-garde and learned directly from it.

In Steer's twilight view of Eastbourne, the floating serenity of the pier, emerging from pale tints, owes much to Whistler's "Nocturnes and Arrangements" of the 1870s. The striking simplicity of composition, inspired by Japanese woodcuts, is combined with sensuality of colour and paint texture. There is a modernity to the subject matter - the suggestion of the pier as a fashionable pleasure ground - and this coupled with the handling, produces a spontaneous informality that is typical of Impressionsm.

More About Me

Collections Wall

Steer was influenced by Whistler and French Impressionism as shown in the floating serenity of this pier emerging from pale tints.