Signed Baron Gudin specialised in seascapes. He was commissioned by King Louis-Philippe of France to paint 97 pictures of sea battles for Versailles. He also founded the French Lifeboat Service in 1864. John and Josephine Bowes seem to have known Baron Gudin and his family. They bought several of his paintings (one is dedicated to Mrs. Bowes) and one by his daughter. The paintings represent a variety of moods. This serene work with a lighthouse no doubt reassured Josephine Bowes who was terrified of the sea.