Hastings, East Sussex 1814

Charles Martin Powell made this watercolor of Hastings, East Sussex, sometime around the turn of the 19th century. The painting offers a glimpse into the economic life of a coastal town in England at the time. The focus is on the daily activities of the fishermen, who are depicted hauling their boats onto the shore and sorting their catch. But what story does the image tell about the social conditions of its time? Hastings was a small, relatively isolated fishing community, and the image suggests a close-knit, self-sufficient society. There is little evidence of the wider world in this painting. The overall impression is one of simplicity and tranquility. Powell’s images leave us with questions about the culture of the art world, but also about the social meaning of the landscape in British culture. Art historians are interested in how images like this reflect and shape our understanding of the natural world.