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Oil on canvas, 74cm x 59.5cm
This is almost certainly the earliest known painting of Liverpool and shows a large part of the waterfront and town about 1680 with a large number of vessels in the river.
The painting shows the main part of the town between St Nicholas Chapel in the north and the area around the entrance to the Pool to the south. A number of key features and buildings are visible. Starting at the left is St Nicholas Chapel, with the former Chapel of St Mary del Key to its left nearer the river; the Earl of Derby's former town house, the stone castellated building known as the Tower, built before 1540, is prominent on the quayside. Immediately to the right of the Tower is Water Street which leads up into the town and slightly to the right and on the horizon is the tower of the Town Hall, completed by 1675.
On the south side of Water Street along the waterfront is the Custom House, identifiable by its four chimneys, and its adjoining yard. At the far end of the Customs Yard is Moor Street and James Street with the Castle behind. Built about 1235, the castle was repaired and extended throughout the Middle Ages but by this stage had probably fallen into disrepair.
The wealth of shipping includes vessels for deep sea trading as well as coastal and local river craft. Of the larger vessels, there is a group of three ships to the left which are beginning to make sail and head down river. To the right hand side of the Custom House are a further three ships, all as yet with their sails furled. Across the middle distance are five brigs and a barque, all with their sails set. One of these brigs has a very high poop deck and may be a Dutch vessel. There are also several smaller vessels on the river.
Whilst so many vessels in the river may be for compositional effect, the inclusion of many ship and brig rigged vessels may indicate a significant event, such as a fleet about to depart for North America, the principal long-distance destination at this period.
The identification of the artist has not been determined, though it has previously been thought to be the work of a Dutch painter.
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