Philip Wilson Steer was born in Birkenhead and after aborting a career in the Civil Service he studied at Gloucester School of Art and South Kensington School of Art. From 1882-4 he studied in Paris at Academie Julien and Ecole des Beaux-Arts, becoming a follower of the Impressionists. He first visited Walberswick in 1884 and stayed there every summer until 1887 developing his British Impressionist style, exploring light in his works through the use of broken colours.
He later specialised in watercolours which became looser in technique but retained his interest in light with exceptional tonal qualities. Unloading Barges, Maldon, Essex - the work we are offering for sale - is a strong example of this late work.