Original Watercolour Southwold Harbour Scene with Fishing Boats and Jetty 1994

Title: Original Watercolour Southwold Harbour Scene with Fishing Boats and Jetty 1994
By Tony Herbert (1927-2024)
Medium: Watercolor on artists paper
Size: 11 x 15 inches
Condition: Good overall; minor corner wear and subtle warping to paper edge
Provenance: From a large private collection of this artists work, Oxford, England

Description: Painted in September 1994, this evocative coastal scene by British watercolourist Tony Herbert captures the atmospheric beauty of Southwold Harbour on the Suffolk coast. The view looks out across the estuary, with moored boats, a quiet quay, and wooden jetties stretching into calm water beneath a sweeping, cloud-filled sky. In the foreground, a grassy embankment and a dark timber jetty add visual depth and a sense of place.

Herbert’s loose yet observational style is on full display here — the mast reflections ripple gently in the water, while the low-toned palette of greys, greens, and browns captures the diffused light of an overcast autumn day. Pops of red from boat detailing and figures provide contrast and draw the eye through the composition.

Southwold has long been a favourite destination for artists, with its working harbour and iconic seafront. This painting reflects Herbert’s deep connection to the East Anglian landscape and his mastery of plein air composition. The handwritten note on the verso adds valuable provenance and further situates this work within his 1990s practice.

Ideal for collectors of British marine painting, Suffolk coastal art, or those with a personal connection to Southwold and its surrounding scenery.