A Breezy Day, Cornwall
James’s work demonstrates his interest in pure studies of the sea, rather than topographical coastal views, particularly painting waves. This work of 1880 was painted on the coast of Cornwall. The low viewpoint of this highly realistic scene places the viewer close to the rocks in the foreground of the painting, at risk from the large incoming wave breaking at the centre of the picture. James particularly concentrated on the depiction of the translucent effects of seawater beating against rock.