An atmospheric seascape of fishing boats and ships on the Humber Estuary at sunset. Fishermen can be seen unloading their catch by the shore as others take down their sails and drop anchor.

Henry Redmore was born in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire in 1820 to James Redmore and Mary Wilkinson. His father was an engineer and initially Henry followed in his footsteps becoming a marine engineer. His job took him on several voyages as an engineer, which undoubtedly inspired his future career as an artist.

He married Martha Markham on 28 November, 1844 at Hull and together they settled in Sculcoates, a suburb of Hull, They went on to have 4 children and one of their sons, Edward King Redmore (1860-1941) also became a marine artist. After his marriage, he gave up his sea career and worked at Cato Mill near North Bridge. During his spare time he embarked on his training as an artist and is widely believed to have been tutored by the marine artist John Ward (1798–1849) who also lived in Hull. By 1848, Redmore was working as a full time marine artist and began advertising his services in the local directories. Around 1856, he moved to Norfolk Street and later set up a studio in Regent Street, from where he exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1868.

After the death of his first wife in 1879, Redmore married Ann Hopwood, a widow on 9 May, 1870.By 1881 the couple had moved to 163 Coltman Street where he remained for the rest of his life. As well as painting many views of the Humber and nearby coastlines, Redmore also began travelling to Holland from the 1860’s. Towards the end of this life he visited the scenic coastal towns of the north east coast to paint beach scenes. Redmore died on 8 December, 1887 and was buried at Hull cemetery, Spring Bank West.

Examples of his work are held by the Ferens Art Gallery, Hull Maritime Museum, Nottinghamshire County Hall, Sewerby Hall Museum and Art Gallery and the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum.

© Benton Fine Art