Lucy Jones The Boat, c.1989

The Boat is an early example of Lucy Jones’ bold and exuberant cityscapes, reflecting the vibrancy of London as one of her acclaimed depictions of the capital which often focus on the area between Lambeth and Waterloo bridges on the Thames River. Colour is the common denominator in both the artist’s landscapes and self-portraits; Jones typically chooses one colour and uses it as the key to the work. Jones' landscapes are a direct comment on the world and finding a place within it: the viewer sees the world through her eyes and body.

Referring to her husband Peter, Jones said in 2018, ‘Luckily Peter tolerates me dragging him round capital cities of Europe and I now have the luck of being quite often pushed round in a wheelchair, which means that I can actually concentrate on looking, rather than just keeping upright.’ The artist, who was born with cerebral palsy, offers a singular view to the landscape that speaks of her physical perspective on the world.

Bridges and docks divide and frame the composition, with Jones' viewpoint lurking underneath Waterloo Bridge, a location she depicted several times. A city sky of burning purple with blue clouds, contrasted by areas of red is confined by another dark blue bridge, arching over the scene. The perspective allows the viewer a unique view of the city, empty of people, reflecting the North European approach, reminiscent of the German Expressionist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. The landscape is vibrant, coloured unnaturally, and is almost unsettling and confrontational, reflecting the artist's sentiment of the capital and her perspective within it.