Italian Port Scene - Sunrise

‘Italian Port Scene – Sunrise’ by Thomas Patch (1725-1782) in the manner of Claude Joseph Vernet, c. 1770. Patch consolidated his art career in Italy, and it was here he met Joshua Reynolds and worked in the studio of Claude Joseph Vernet.

This oil on canvas landscape depicts a port centre and on the right a number of differently sized sailing vessels in the water. To the left, Italianate villas can be seen on the rocky hillside above a stone bridge under which water flows. In the foreground a group of men and women: some unloading a haul of fish from a boat, another fishes with his rod, two are cooking over an open fire. The scene is dominated by the sky. The painting is set within a large ornate frame in gold with acanthus and spear, semi circles, bead, and reel decoration.