The Nancy Lee of Great Yarmouth

Philip Richard Morris 1836 - 1902

Summary

Scene depicting the building of the Nancy Lee on the shore at Great Yarmouth. The boat is held up by wooden scaffolding, on top of which eleven of the ship's carpenters are working to build up the hull. The sea and a fisherman's cottage are both visible in the background to the right. The style of painting is naturalistic, and the subject matter down-to-earth. There is a hazy softness to the outlines of the figures and objects depicted. This spectacle is emhasised by the palpable rhythm of the workers' hammers. There is a small, camp fire burning in the left of the picture upon which hangs a pot, probably containing food. Timber is scattered randomly around the floor underneath the scaffolding.