Umbrellas and Barges, Venice

McCrossan was born in Liverpool and studied at the Liverpool School of Art. She specialised in landscape painting, often travelling in Europe and the Mediterranean on sketching tours. In this painting of a canal in Venice, McCrossan captures the play of colour on water, with small human figures almost an afterthought compared to the bright boats and patio umbrellas of the title. In 1929 she made St Ives in Cornwall her regular home, painting glittering sea views. After her death in 1934, the Walker Art Gallery held a memorial exhibition of her work.