Against Wind and Tide

Against Wind and Tide at The Box in Plymouth captures the drama of sailing vessels struggling against adverse conditions. Stanfield’s understanding of how ships behave in heavy weather, gained from his years at sea, gives his storm scenes an authenticity that distinguished them from the work of less experienced painters. Characteristic of the artist's mature approach, the work displays dramatic atmospheric effects, precise marine detail derived from his seafaring experience, theatrical compositions informed by years as a scene painter at Drury Lane.

The windswept scene conveys the power of natural forces through dynamic composition and bold brushwork. Stanfield renders the straining sails and driving spray with the confidence of an artist who had experienced such conditions firsthand.