Oil painting. Pin Mill is on the south bank of the tidal River Orwell, on the outskirts of the village of Chelmondiston on the Shotley peninsula, south Suffolk. Originally a working agricultural port for Thames barges its relative isolation and picturesque position have made it a centre for those now preserved by enthusiasts for the type, and a place for other leisure sailing. The painting is signed, bottom left, in mid-toned paint on a light background: W. ERIC THORP.

Thorp (1901-93) was born in London. He studied at the City of London School under Herbert Dicksee as drawing master, and at the Royal Academy Schools. He was the youngest member ever elected to the ‘Artist’s Society’ at the age of 17, joined the Langham Art Club’in 1917 and was also a member of the London Sketch Clubs and Chelsea Arts Club. He was mainly a marine artist and, in 1947, a founder member of the Wapping Group, later becoming its president (1966-72). The large posters he did to promote its exhibitions have also become well known. Thorp exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Pastel Society (becoming a member of the latter in 1952 and of the Royal Societyof Marine Artists in 1958), the Paris Salon and elsewhere. Other examples of his work are in the Guildhall Art Gallery and the Imperial Institute. He eventually moved into residential care in Nottingham, where he died in 1993. [PvdM 2/18]