The East Indiaman ‘Francis’ in three positions, off Dover

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

This is a portrait of an East Indiaman, represented in three positions. In the background, above the white cliffs, Dover Castle can just be made out. The town of Dover can be seen to the left, in a hollow in the line of cliffs.

The painting relates to another work by Dominic Serres in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, titled 'The East Indiaman 'Pitt' and Other Vessels' (1786).

Dominic Serres, marine painter and nephew of the Archbishop of Rheims, was born in Auch, Gascony. He studied at the English Benedictine school at Douai but is thought to have run away and served with the Spanish fleet, before being captured and sent to England as a prisoner of war in c.1750. After his release, he painted views of country houses. In the late 1750s he moved to London, where he was a pupil of marine painter Charles Brooking. He established a reputation for battle scenes during the Seven Years War and the War of American Independence. In 1768, he was one of the founder members of the Royal Academy and in 1780 he was made marine painter to George III. He became librarian of the Royal Academy in 1792, shortly before his death.

Places

Subjects

East Indiaman 'Francis', seascape/coastal scene, ensign (ship), three masted, ship

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

Dominic Serres (1722 - 1793)

Title

The East Indiaman ‘Francis’ in three positions, off Dover

Date

c.1783

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 91.00 cm, width: 153.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchasaed fom Appleby Bros, 1948

GAC number

641