Shetland Harbour Fishing Boats at Low Tide by British Artist John Steane

Title: Shetland Harbour Fishing Boats at Low Tide by British Artist John Steane
by John Steane (b.1931)
Signed: Bottom right
Size: 15.75 inches (height) x 20 inches (width)
watercolor painting on paper, unframed
condition: Good, with minor edge wear
Provenance: from a large private collection of this artists work, Oxford, England

Description:
This finely rendered watercolour by British artist John Steane (b.1931) captures a quiet harbour scene in the Shetland Islands, where two fishing boats rest against a stone quay at low tide. The retreating water reveals rippled sandbanks and curved tidal patterns, while a weathered sea wall, rusted mooring posts, and distant hills form the backdrop. The boats—marked “240” and “0210”—are shown in careful detail, hinting at the daily rhythms of working maritime life in one of Scotland’s northernmost island chains.

Shetland harbours are known for their stark natural beauty, resilient coastal infrastructure, and close-knit fishing communities. Steane’s sensitive observation brings these elements to life, using gentle gradients, crisp lines, and a muted palette to evoke the cool, bracing air and soft light typical of the region.

A highlight of the composition is the artist’s rhythmic rendering of rock textures and the curve of the harbour steps, guiding the viewer’s eye from foreground to horizon. It’s a quiet yet purposeful scene that reveals Steane’s skill in capturing both the human presence and geological character of a place.

This work will appeal to collectors of Scottish landscapes, maritime painting, and regional British coastal art. The signed composition and identifiable subject matter make it particularly attractive for framing and long-term appreciation.