Sunset over a rocky bay

This intense, vast and some-what apocalyptic scene carries all the characteristics of John Martin’s greatest work: The serried ranks of armies on the shore and the solemn sky, encased in ghostly dwellings to either side of the bay. These elements would strongly suggest that Martin may be depicting some scene from antiquity or Biblical battle. The deep red, purples and highlights of bright white in the sky are reminiscent of the artist’s monumental watercolour The Destruction of Pharaoh's Host, sold in these rooms 3 July 2012 (lot 139, £758,050).