Acre was painted by Francis Howard Captain Vyse in 1830.

Where can I see Acre?

Acre is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Acre?

Acre is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

Acre

Francis Howard Captain Vyse , 1830

Acre is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist Francis Howard Captain Vyse. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1832, the watercolour titled *Acre* is attributed to Captain Francis Howard Vyse. Executed in a modest format, the painting records a Mediterranean coastal scene, emphasizing the town’s shoreline, its low wall, and a solitary sailing vessel on tranquil water. The work forms part of a sketchbook devoted to maritime subjects.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a harbor town framed by a protective wall that runs parallel to the sea. Domed and spired structures line the waterfront, while gentle hills rise in the background. A lone sailboat drifts on the glass‑like water, suggesting a quiet, everyday moment in a historic port.

Technique & Style

Vyse employs light, transparent washes that prioritize overall shape and atmosphere over fine detail. The palette is restrained, with pale blues and grays defining the hills and sea, while the town’s architecture is rendered in muted tones. The water’s surface is depicted with minimal brushwork, conveying a sense of stillness.

History & Provenance

The piece belongs to a collection of drawings assembled by Vyse during his travels in the early nineteenth century. It was recorded in a sketchbook that documented various Mediterranean vessels and coastal views, reflecting the officer’s interest in naval and topographical subjects.

Artist & collection

Artist

Francis Howard Captain Vyse

Captain Vyse carried a tin of watercolors like others carry a flask, sketching ruins instead of drinking.

Museum

Victoria and Albert Museum

Continue through works from the same source collection.