Artwork
Aberystwyth Trawler
Aberystwyth Trawler is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Alfred Worthington. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales.
About this work
Overview
Alfred Worthington’s 1896 oil painting titled *Aberystwyth Trawler* portrays a working vessel navigating rough sea conditions. The composition centers on a dark‑hued trawler with bright yellow sails, three crew members visible on deck, and gulls wheeling overhead. The work is part of the collection of the National Library of Wales, where it remains on display.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a moment of maritime labor, emphasizing the resilience of fishermen confronting unsettled waters. The presence of the three men and the active gulls underscores the relationship between human endeavor and the natural forces of the sea, suggesting both the routine and the peril inherent in coastal fishing life.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting employs a layered approach that renders the sea’s choppy texture and the sail’s luminous surface. Worthington balances deep blues and greens for the water with lighter, sun‑lit tones in the sky and sails, creating a vivid atmospheric contrast that conveys both movement and the weight of the vessel.
History & Provenance
Created in 1896, *Aberystwyth Trawler* entered the holdings of the National Library of Wales, where it has been preserved as part of the institution’s visual record of Welsh maritime heritage. The work has not been recorded in major exhibitions beyond its regional context, remaining primarily within the library’s collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
English painter in the 1880s–90s, Worthington captured Welsh coastal life and village scenes in oil.
