'Battle ships of German High Seas Fleet off Inch Keith' RMG PW1758, William Lionel Wyllie, 1918

'battle ships of german high seas fleet off inch keith' inscribed, as title, and signed by the artist, lower left. This atmospheric study off the island of inchkeith at the mouth of the firth of forth shows german ships after their arrival for surrender and internment between 21 and 23 november 1918. The boat on the extreme left is an american-built elco motor launch of which 540 were delivered for the royal navy between november 1915 and february 1918. The battleships are not shown in sufficient detail to identify, except that the one on the left is probably of the 'kaiser' class. At the time of the german fleet's surrender and internment wyllie was the guest of admiral sir charles madden on board the battleship hms 'revenge'. He stayed for a month, producing watercolours such as this. Date: 1918. Dimensions: Sheet: 253 x 354 mm. Collection: Fine art.