George Chambers - A Brig Leaving Dover

This painting shows a view of Dover from the sea with a brig sailing out towards the viewer. A fishing boat is making its way back in the opposite direction towards the harbour walls across the glassy, animated waves. A steamer in the background is following the brig. The painting exemplifies the early 19th-century interest in narrative detail, as can be seen in the colourful detail of the many staffage figures greeting each other, looking on and working on board the vessels.