File:Eddystone Lighthouse RMG BHC1796.tiff
The picture was one of the four versions commissioned by Lovett in 1708. One was for the Lord High Admiral, Prince George of Denmark, another for Trinity House and a third was a different family version to this, at Claydon House, Buckinghamshire (now National Trust). The painting was identified as the work of Sailmaker through an engraving by Hulsbergh, dated 1733, which credits him as the artist. This discovery was a landmark in early marine painting since it served to indicate the signifying features of a Sailmaker painting. The picture itself provides a rare and striking image of an offshore lighthouse, showing the iron bolts set into the rock to hold down the structure. The circular staircase leading up from the rock to the entrance is also clearly shown. The lantern's light was supplied by 24 candles. A figure is shown on the balcony of the lantern, looking out towards the shipping with a telescope. In the foreground on the right several small craft laden with men and supplies are preparing to land near the lighthouse. Outcrops of rock have been indicated on the right and there is a distorted sense of perspective.
Sailmaker was born in Scheveningen in 1633 and emigrated to England when young. He was an early marine painter working in England prior to 1710, although he had not benefited from the typical marine artist's apprenticeship. He was, however, among the artistic followers of the van de Veldes, who left Holland for England in 1672 and established a flourishing school of marine painting in London.