Passengers RMG PW2136, William Lionel Wyllie, circa 1905

Passengers wyllie and his wife frequently went on cruises, usually on board p & o liners. In 1907 some of these watercolours made during such a cruise were exhibited at the fine art society, london, at an exhibition entitled 'pleasure cruises in a p & o from spitzbergen to the golden horn', and it is probable that this unfinished watercolour dates from around that time. It shows passengers and a crewmember on board what is almost certainly a p & o liner. On the left, two edwardian ladies recline wrapped in blankets – one reading a book, the other sewing – while a steward stands behind them, and a male passenger – perhaps a husband – looks on. Passengers. Date: circa 1905. Dimensions: Sheet: 318 x 457 mm; Mount: 19 1/16 in x 25 in. Collection: Fine art.