Fisherfolk on the beach

The scale of this work suggests it was an exhibition picture, quite possibly one of several Hastings subjects shown by Cristall at the Old Water-Colour Society in 1818. Either of the works entitled 'Fishermen at Hastings' and 'Boats Coming In - Hastings' could be the present watercolour (B. Taylor, Joshua Cristall, exhibition catalogue, London, 1975, p. 37). If not Hastings, the scene is most likely to be on the Isle of Wight or at Deal in Kent, both of which places provided the artist with fishing subjects.