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This painting may have been commissioned by John Patten, a prominent grocer in Bewdley. It is possible that he is the gentleman in the blue coat. The parcel to the left of him is inscribed 'John Patten Bewley'(sic).

The scene shows the quayside in Bewdley when it was at its most prosperous. The town had become an important inland port as goods were transported along the River Severn to Bristol. As a consequence the amount of merchants, traders and professional men grew in number and became wealthy. This prosperity can be seen in the Georgian buildings around the town to this day.