Who Was Peter Cosslett
Early life and maritime roots
Born in Cardiff in 1927, Cosslett’s first love was the sea. He spent his early years serving in the Merchant Navy, a period that instilled in him an intimate understanding of the ocean’s power and poetry .Turning point and artistic awakening
After World War II, he took up painting as a hobby. A life-altering illness resulted in the loss of a leg, redirecting his path: he pursued art full-time from 1971 onwards, studying mainly by night-school and self-guidance. His early instructors even admitted they had nothing new to teach him, so he went on to teach himself .Master of seascape realism
Settling in Torbay, Devon, he became renowned for his realistic seascapes. Cosslett painted waves cresting over rocks, moonlit surf, and tranquil coastal settings. A gallery biography calls him “probably the finest present day realist painter of British Seascapes” .End of an era
He continued to paint throughout his life. Depending on the source, his passing is noted as either 2012 or 2016 , still remembered fondly for his resilience and artistry.
How Much Are His Paintings Worth?
Auction and gallery data reveal:
Auction results
A record sale: “Waves breaking on the shore under moonlight” fetched $2,216 at Gorringes in 2021 .
Other sales range widely:
Lower-end: artworks sold for as little as $7
Higher-end originals typically sell for $300–$600, with average hammer prices ranging around £300–£550 .
On average, his works realize about $354 in recent years .
Gallery offerings
Original oils in galleries, such as Gainsborough Fine Art, retail for around £825 (€960+) . Limited edition prints, like Moonglow over Berry Head, sell for roughly £175–£195 .
What Are Peter Cosslett’s Best Paintings?
Certain motifs recur as his most celebrated works:
Moonlit Seascapes
Studies titled “Devon Coast by Moonlight” (38 × 48 cm, unsold with a low estimate of AUD 400–600) and “Moonlit Sea” (limited edition prints) are widely featured .Waves Breaking on Rocks
Frequently exhibited and sold at prestigious auctions, e.g. “Waves breaking on the rocks” (oil, 39 × 49 cm), hammering at £550 .Beachscape Dusk & Winter Scenes
Works like “Beachscape, Dusk” (39 × 49.5 cm) and “Wave study” (oil on board, 30 × 40 cm) are catalogued classics .Local Coastal Landmarks
Depictions of St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall and Berry Head highlight his regional focus .
Where to Find His Best Works Today
Cosslett’s paintings are held across galleries, auction houses, and private collections. Key locations include:
Surridge Gallery, Devon
Home to many originals and limited editions. Popular prints include Thatcher Evening, Berry Head by Moonlight, and Meadfoot Dawn priced at £125–£195 .Auction venues
Gorringe’s (UK): record moonlit waves sale
Bellmans, David Lay, Gildings, Paul Beighton: frequently list Cosslett originals with estimates of £150–£600 .
Online galleries
Gainsborough Fine Art lists original oils for £825
Invaluable, MutualArt, and BidtoArt feature auction histories and pricing .
The Nostalgia Behind the Waves
Imagine a young sailor, braving the roaring North Atlantic aboard a Merchant Navy vessel. The roar of the waves, moonlight dancing on the crests, a lifelong memory that ignites his spirit. That sailor was Peter Cosslett. Years later, after a disabling illness, he traded his uniform for brushes and paints, transferring his love for the sea onto canvas.
He began quietly, teaching himself late into the night. One night-school tutor told him, “There’s nothing more to teach you.” Undeterred, he continued, refining his craft through relentless practice. By the early 1970s, his landscapes and seascapes found homes among galleries in Devon, and eventually across the British Isles.
Collectors gravitated toward his work, the realism, the intimacy of light on water, the sense of serene drama. Moonlit beaches, winter shores, and crashing surf became the cornerstone of his legacy. When “Waves breaking on the shore under moonlight” sold for over $2,200, it spoke to the enduring fascination of viewers worldwide.
He painted not just to depict nature, but to convey an emotional voyage: the calm after chaos, the beauty in solitude, the connection between heart and horizon.
Value Summary Table
| Work Type | Approximate Price (GBP/USD) |
|---|---|
| Record auction sale (Moonlit waves) | $2,216 ≈ £1,800 |
| Typical originals (Auction) | £300–£600 ($360–$720) |
| Gallery originals | £825 (~€960 / ~$1,020) |
| Limited editions | £125–£195 ($160–$250) |
| Average realized price | ~$354 (€325) |
Peter Cosslett (1927–2012/16) was more than a seascape painter, he was a storyteller, translating the power, poetry, and quiet majesty of the sea into enduring works of art. From humble nights spent teaching himself to commanding prices in the four figures, his legacy speaks of resilience, passion, and beauty. Whether in Tamerton’s misted winters, Devon’s moonlit coves, or Cornwall’s rugged shores, his paintings continue to speak across generations, rekindling that moment when a sailor first glimpsed the sea’s hidden heart.
