Shipping in the Port of London [recto]

Félix-Hilaire Buhot

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a sketch from a slightly elevated viewpoint, capturing a scene along a waterfront. The horizon is low, with tall masts of ships breaking it. On the left, a large ship with distinct masts and rigging dominates the scene. In the middle and further to the right, there are smaller masts, likely more ships, and activities near the shoreline. The sketch uses delicate and rough pencil strokes to suggest forms and textures, with lines creating a sense of movement across the water and sky. The color palette is monochromatic, mainly various shades of gray, giving a somber yet quiet visual impact to the scene.