This charming late 19th-century oil painting by Italian artist Tommaso De Simone (c.1805-1888) depicts the HMS Nautilus in the English Channel near the Eddystone Lighthouse. It was previously owned and probably commissioned by, the ship’s commander, Richard Nigel Gresley (1850-1928).
HMS Nautilus was an 8-gun training brig, built at Chatham dockyard in 1879, and commanded by Gresley between 1882 and 1885. During the 19th century, training brigs were primarily used to develop both naval cadets and officers. Due to their comparatively small size, they were somewhat easier to manoeuvre versus larger warships.
However, Nautilus’ status as a training vessel didn’t preclude her from entering into perilous scenarios as, in 1886, she collided with a trawler, causing damage to her bow. Intriguingly, this occurred close to Eddystone, the lighthouse depicted here, but a year after Gresley’s tenure had ended. Perhaps this is one of the reasons he’s inscribed the dates of his command on the reverse of the painting.
Tommaso de Simone lived and worked in Naples, Italy, and generally painted vessels with a broadside view in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. Naples was a popular anchorage, particularly for yachts, and together with his son, Antonio de Simone (1851-1907), he produced a vast oeuvre.
Aside from his artistic pursuits, he was also a Corporal of the Royal Corps of Marine Gunners of the Royal Navy of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, so well aware of the nuances of rigging etc. In 1849, he was awarded a bronze medal of merit by Pope Pius IX.
He represented in numerous public collections including the National Maritime Museum and the Science Museum.
Signed/dated in the lower right and held within a 19th-century gilt frame, which is probably original.
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Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 28” x 21½” / 71cm x 52cm
Year of creation: 1887
Labels & Inscriptions: Inscribed on reverse ‘H.M. Brig Nautilus which I commanded from Nov. 16th 1882 / Nov. 16th 1885’.
Provenance: The Parker Gallery, London / Private collection, UK.
Condition: Cleaned. Craquelure in areas. The paint layer is stable. Frame with various marks and showing its age.
Artist’s auction maximum: £12,924 for ‘H.M.S Exmouth signalling her Arrival at Naples (1862)’, Oil on canvas, Christie’s, Maritime, New York, 10 Feb 2004 (lot 233).
Our reference: BRV2048
