“Stop to appreciate this vivid snapshot of 19th-century maritime life off Jersey, where a grand sailing ship shares the stage with a modern paddle steamer, all set against the dramatic backdrop of Corbiere.”
This painting captures a busy moment on the waters off Jersey's Corbiere lighthouse in 1874, a scene of maritime activity and the island's connection to the sea. The viewer's eye is immediately drawn to the majestic sailing vessel, the 'Hebe' of Jersey, dominating the left side of the canvas. Its sails are full, catching the light and suggesting a brisk wind. In contrast, a paddle steamer on the right churns through the water, its smoke plume a sign of modern technology. The dramatic coastline of Corbiere, with its distinctive lighthouse, anchors the background, providing a sense of place and the inherent challenges of these waters. Philip John Ouless, a Jersey-born artist, meticulously renders the details of both ships and the choppy sea, reflecting the importance of shipping and steam travel to the island's economy and daily life during this period.
- Artist
- Philip John Ouless
- Date
- 1874
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Location
- Jersey Maritime Museum
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.
The distinctive red and white stripes on the funnel of the paddle steamer.
The small figures on the deck of the 'Hebe', indicating its grand scale.
The detailed rigging and furled sails of the 'Hebe'.
The iconic Corbiere lighthouse standing prominently on the rocky outcrop.
1 more detail is waiting.
See all 5 in Art Whisper →Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through The 'Hebe' of Jersey off Corbiere, and a Paddle Steamer — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Philip John Ouless
1817–1885 · United Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandPhilip John Ouless was a British painter and watercolorist, known for his detailed works.
Further Works by Ouless
Portrait of Mary Ann (c.1796–after 1880), Wife of the Reverend George Balleine
1846 · Jersey Museum and Art Gallery
The Reverend George Balleine (1786–1856)
1846 · Jersey Museum and Art Gallery
The Ketch 'Gazelle' of Jersey off Corbiere
1874 · Jersey Museum and Art Gallery
Ironclads at sea
1880 · Royal Museums Greenwich
Greenwich Hospital from the north
Royal Museums Greenwich
The barque Patricia
Royal Museums Greenwich
The 'Francis John' Passing the Casquets
Jersey Museum and Art Gallery
The tea clipper Medina
Royal Museums Greenwich
More works to explore
Beyond Ouless: works from the same years.
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Cart with Black Ox
Vincent van Gogh · 1884 · Portland Art Museum
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Chariot Race
Léon-Victor Dupré · 1876 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Paris Street; Rainy Day
Kawabata Gyokushō · 1877 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884
Okada Saburosuke · 1884 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
The Backgammon Players
Philip Webb · 1861 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1850s–1880s
An Alpine Scene
Gustave Courbet · 1874 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Boating
Édouard Manet · 1874 · Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1850s–1880s
After the Bullfight
Mary Cassatt · 1873 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Henri Degas and His Niece Lucie Degas (The Artist's Uncle and Cousin)
Edgar Degas · 1875 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
The Artist's House at Argenteuil
Claude Monet · 1873 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
The Fishermen (Fantastic Scene)
Paul Cézanne · 1875 · Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1850s–1880s
The Seine at Pont de Grenelle
Paul Gauguin · 1875 · Wallraf–Richartz Museum