After a Stormy Night off Whitby

Thomas Rose Miles painted many maritime scenes and he was particularly skilled at painting turbulant water. This sailing boat is pitching alarmingly and the sailors onboard are dwarfed by the black waves. It is hard to tell what our vantage point as viewer is which adds to the disorientating effect of the waves. However, the title suggests that the worst of the storm is over. Not too far away the harbour mouth can be seen, lit up by rays of sunlight breaking through the heavy clouds. The rolling waves still separate the boat from the harbour but the light gives a sense of hope that on this occassion, the stormy sea has been survived.