An enquiry from the Tate Gallery recently raised the question of when the above painting was painted. The Tate believed it was 1903. However if the image is enhanced it does reveal some significant details to identify the date. I’d suggest the artist was positioned at Turberville Wharf looking SW to the tower. The area at the far left of the painting is the base of tower 2, with sheds on its base – hence the light in windows (see photo below from similar position). There are also working lights on the tower – suggesting the towers were still occupied but near completed – note there are no signs of the large cranes on the land.
The project was cancelled in November 1918 but the Admiralty agreed to complete construction as both were near complete – as it appears in the painting. This tower, Tower 1, was removed to the Solent for re-use in September 1920. – the only time the tide would permit floating out of the harbour. In photographs the Western tower (Tower 1) has two small structures on the roof. I think Tower 1 was the only one to have two structures installed as, I speculate, that one structure was a lighthouse specific for the intended use as The Nab Tower. (see 2nd photograph below). This would suggest the painting is just before launch in September 1920.
That means the painting is most likely late 1919 or early 1920.
