The Wolf Rock lighthouse

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A scene showing the Wolf Rock Lighthouse in the moonlight. Built 1862-70 it is situated about eight miles off Land's End in Cornwall and is subjected to some of the worst weather conditions around the British Isles. At the time of this painting the lighthouse was lit with the original oil powered lamp.This was replaced by a generator powered electric light in 1955. With a range of 23 miles, the signal is one white flash every 15 seconds. There is also a fog signal sounding out every 30 seconds.

John Fraser came from a nautical family. His brother William went to sea and in 1890, at the age of 18, was washed overboard and lost while outward-bound for Australia. His older brother, Rodney, also went to sea and rose to become master but he too was later drowned. Fraser was one of several painters focusing on the effects of the sea and horizon, such as Julius Olsen and John Everett.

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Object Details

ID:	BHC1293
Collection:	Fine art
Type:	Painting
Display location:	Not on display
Creator:	Fraser, John
Date made:	Late 19th century to early 20th century
Exhibition:	Guiding Lights
Credit:	National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Fund
Measurements:	Painting: 380 mm x 760 mm; Frame: 439 mm x 822 mm x 54 mm; Weight: 5.8 kg;