Seascape

Location

Country: Sweden
City: Stockholm
Place: British Embassy

A brisk breeze whips up the sea into choppy waves. A gentleman in a red coat on the quay side waves his hat at a departing ship. From the stern of the ship, a large red ensign flies. To the left is a small castle in a hill, which has yet to be identified.

Marine painter Francis Swaine exhibited numerous paintings under the titles of ‘A Fresh Gale’ or ‘A Brisk Gale’ and this example of his work would certainly suit such a title.

Little is known of the early life Francis Swaine, marine painter. In 1735, his name appeared as a messenger in a list of clerks and officers employed by the Treasurers and Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy. Swaine's work was strongly influenced by Peter Monamy, Charles Brooking and the earlier paintings of Willem van de Velde the younger. Most of Swaine’s output was small scale shipping subjects. He exhibited his work at the Free Society of Arts from 1761 until the end of his life and at the Incorporated Society of Artists exhibitions from 1762. For much of his life, Swaine lived near St. James’s Park, Westminster. He moved to Chelsea shortly before his death in 1782.

Places

Subjects

barrel, seascape/coastal scene, man, ensign (ship), harbour, ship

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

Francis Swaine (1725 - 1782)

Title

Seascape

Date

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 37.00 cm, width: 62.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Appleby Bros, September 1949

GAC number

908