Artist: Nancy Bailey
Title: Ropes & Things
Medium: Oil on canvas
Edition: Original, One of a kind
Artwork Dimensions: 89cm x 59cm (35" x 23")
Frame Dimensions: 106cm x 79cm (41.5" x 29.5")
Condition: Image: Good. Frame: Good. Slight scuffs to corners - see photos.
About the artwork
Nancy Bailey’s evocative maritime scene "Ropes & Things" captures the quiet resilience of coastal labour. Two figures stand on the deck of a fishing vessel, immersed in the rhythm of their work as ropes and nets crisscross the composition. The textured palette knife technique—Bailey’s signature—imbues the surface with a tactile energy, echoing the grit and motion of life at sea. Rich blues and earthy tones evoke the salt-worn atmosphere of the harbour, while the scattered gear and layered rigging lend authenticity and depth. Signed lower right, this work exemplifies Bailey’s commitment to portraying the dignity of working lives along Britain’s rugged coast.
About the Artist
Nancy Bailey (1913–2012) was a British painter celebrated for her textured palette knife technique and evocative maritime scenes. Born in Par, Cornwall, Bailey began her creative journey through photography, capturing West Country landscapes for postcards before turning to painting in midlife. Eschewing brushes entirely, she developed a distinctive style using only a palette knife, layering oils to convey the grit and motion of coastal life. Her subjects—fishing boats, harbours, and beachside labour—reflect a deep connection to Britain’s working shores. Bailey’s work has appeared at major UK auction houses, with collectors drawn to her rugged compositions and authentic depictions of maritime industry. She painted actively until age 90, leaving behind a legacy of bold, tactile storytelling through paint.
