James Webb was a British painter renowned for his captivating landscapes and seascapes. Born in Chelsea, London, he was immersed in an artistic milieu from a young age, being part of a family of painters. His father, Archibald Webb, and brother, Byron Webb, were notable figures in the art world.

Webb's path led him to the Royal Academy, where he honed his skills under the tutelage of the prominent marine artist Clarkson Frederick Stanfield RA. Throughout his career, Webb's work bore the profound influence of the romantic styles of renowned painters such as John Constable and Joseph Mallord William Turner.

Primarily focusing on marine views and landscapes, Webb's paintings often depicted coastal scenes from England, Wales, Holland, and France, as well as parts of the Rhine. His compositions, characterised by detailed studies of ships set against expansive skies, reflected his fascination with dramatic coastal scenery.

Exhibiting in London at prestigious venues such as the Royal Academy and the British Institute, Webb garnered acclaim for his evocative portrayals of maritime settings. Many of his works found homes in esteemed collections, including those of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Tate Gallery in London, as well as the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.

Despite his passing in 1895, James Webb's legacy endures through his timeless paintings, which continue to captivate audiences with their timeless beauty and evocative storytelling of the maritime world.