Bodycolour with watercolour, 10 by 14 ins (25.5 by 35.5 cm)

In 1871 Severn married John Ruskin?s cousin and was soon so closely associated with the artist that at one point in the early 1880s he is recorded as living with Ruskin at Hawkshead. It was therefore not surprising that at the famous Ruskin versus Whistler trial in 1878, Severn was summoned to act as a character witness. It is though significant that he otherwise kept a low profile and was not prepared to testify against Whistler. In fact Severn was a huge admirer of Whistler?s work. He is quoted as stating that he believed Whistler?s paintings were ’carefully painted and generally very beautiful and true in colour’. He met Whistler on several occasions and reported that the great artist was consistently courteous throughout the trial. It is not surprising that elements of Whistler?s style can be detected in some of Severn?s work. The present work is a particularly fine example. If this work is more old fashioned in its execution, its original and inspired composition, with its observation of the almost abstract effects of light on water at night, suggest the clear influence of the great American artist.