Fishing off Hastings
early 1810s
David Cox captures the misty, atmospheric essence of the English coast in this early 19th-century seascape, where fishing boats with tall, dark sails drift through hazy water while a small rowboat packed with figures navigates the foreground. The loose, expressive brushstrokes and muted tones feel incredibly modern, showing why Cox is often considered a forerunner to the Impressionist movement long before it officially began. As a master of capturing fleeting weather effects, he makes the damp sea air almost palpable in this fantastic example of his lifelong fascination with the moody British shoreline.
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