Men-O-War off Sheerness

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Hospitality, Lancaster House

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

England, Sheerness, Kent, Thames Estuary, Isle of Sheppey

Subjects

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

Materials & Techniques

linen, oil, oil painting

Artist

Francis Swaine (1725 - 1782)

Title

Men-O-War off Sheerness

Date

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 33.00 cm, width: 44.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Sir Bruce Ingram, 1963

Inscription

Labels on verso (retained after modern backboard fitted): Festival of Britain (1951) Exhibition of Marine Paintings No276 (Colnaghi 27). From Ferens Art Gallery, Hull. & "oil painting - Men o War off a Coast - property of Sir Henry Lintott, Earnscliffe, Sussex Dr. Ottawa 2. Embassy of Britain. Ottawa Diplomats Collect."

Provenance

Collection of journalist and newspaper editor Sir Bruce Stirling Ingram (1877-1963) and on loan to the Ministry of Works from 1952; from whom purchased by the Ministry of Works in 1963

GAC number

5873