View on the Coast at Deal 1841 - 1851

Charles Bentley made this watercolor view of the coast at Deal. The tranquil scene of boats, figures, and quaint buildings belies the economic and social tensions of 19th-century coastal life. During Bentley's lifetime, England experienced rapid industrialization. Coastal towns like Deal were transformed by trade and maritime activities, yet also faced challenges of poverty and social inequality. Bentley, who became a member of the New Society of Painters in Water Colours in 1843, captures the picturesque aspects of Deal. Yet, if we look closer we might reflect on whose labor sustained this idyllic scene. Were those seamen or merchants? What class did they belong to? Bentley’s composition and the atmospheric effects of his watercolors evoke a mood of quiet observation and appreciation for the beauty of nature, reminding us of the simple, enduring aspects of human life amidst larger economic shifts.