William Lionel Wyllie R.A.

STRUCTURE Original Canvas PAINT SURFACE There are traces of dirt to the paint surface and areas of craquelure in the central sky. ULTRAVIOLET UV light reveals spots of retouching, upper left and upper right, light strengthening to the signature. FRAME Held in a period frame with minor chips to the giltwork
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Willial Lionel Wyllie moved to Hoo Lodge, Rochester in 1885.  Built on a hill on the banks of the Medway, across the water from Gillingham and Chatham, it provided constant inspiration for the industrious artist with its sweeping gardens and orchard leading down to the waterfront.   The move marked the beginning of one of the most productive periods of his career.   

From his new premises Wyllie could work from his garden or the converted studio at the top of the house.  The present work provides a wonderful sense of his subject coming to him, as he portrays the shipping and industry which passed him each day. 

His work also took on something of a new direction during this period as he explored the history of the area in which he was now resident.  During the reign of Edward VI, Sir Francis Drake had spent much of his youth aboard a hulk moored off nearby Upnor.  The great diarist Samuel Pepys also recorded the moment  in June 1667 when the Dutch Fleet sailed up the Thames as far as Upnor Castle.  Following meticulous research and cross referencing of sources, Wyllie began painting a number of historical subjects including The Spanish Armada and The Battle of the Nile as well as executing his first sketches of the Battle of Trafalgar.  Judging from his exhibition history alone, his output during this period was enormous and he was made an associate of the Royal Academy in 1889.

Wyllie continued to spend time experiencing his subject as well as painting it.  In 1898 a challenge was issued by the Australian Mark Foy, owner of the Sydney Harbour Champion yacht Irex.  As Commodore of the Medway Yacht Club, Wyllie accepted the challenge.  Along with Lynton Hope Wyllie designed the Maid of Kent, who was built by Gill & sons of Rochester, specialists in the construction of Thames barges.  The day of the race dawned and extra trains were run to Chatham to accommodate the hordes of spectators keen to witness the event.  Despite flying 500 square feet of canvas compared to Irex' 4000, Maid of Kent won in three straight races.  The losing Australian crew, made up entirely of men, found defeat even harder to take on learning that the winning boat was steered by a woman, Marion Wyllie.