Men of War off Newhaven, Sussex

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

John Thomas Serres was born in London, son of marine painter Dominic Serres the elder. On his father's death he succeeded him as Marine Painter to George III. In 1800, he was appointed Marine Draughtsman to the Admiralty and employed to draw the coasts of Britain, France, Spain and the Mediterranean. He also taught at Chelsea Naval School, painted battle scenes and published ‘Liber Nauticus’ (1805), with plates after his and his father’s drawings. In 1817, he became a proprietor of the Coburg Theatre and subsequently the scenic director. He married a pupil, Olivia Wilmot, who claimed to be the daughter of the Duke of Cumberland. Her behaviour ruined Serres, who lost favour in court. He died soon after his release from a debtor's prison.

Places

England, Newhaven, Sussex, East Sussex, English Channel

Subjects

rowing boat, seascape/coastal scene, ensign (ship), harbour, ship, Man o'War

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

John Thomas Serres (1759 - 1825)

Title

Men of War off Newhaven, Sussex

Date

1795

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 62.80 cm, width: 105.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Parker Gallery, December 1960

Inscription

bl: JTSerres

GAC number

5415