Departure of the Fishing Boats

This is a remarkable original etching by William Lionel Wyllie, image size 9 1/4 x 14 inches, c. 1900, pencil signed, titled on the lower edge of the sheet. Wyllie was a well known marine painter and printmaker in early 20th century London. He studied at the Heatherley School of Fine Art, then at the age of 15 began his studies at the Royal Academy. At the age of 18, Wyllie won the Turner Gold Medal for his painting "Dawn After A Storm". He went on to have a long artistic career, specializing in paintings and etchings of the sea and the city of London. In this etching, Wyllie uses remarkably delicate lines and subtle tones to create an atmospheric image of fishing boats setting out to sea.