This enchanting late 19th-century English oil painting depicts a dramatic maritime scene with a shipwreck, lifeboat, and distant steamship.

A sailor battles for life amid hazardous waters, clinging to the castaway timbers of a wrecked 28-gun frigate. A lifeboat, buffeted by waves, attempts to get closer - did he survive? We’ll never know.

Arresting scenes of this nature were popular during the 19th century with numerous tales recounted of the perils of sailing. Conditions at sea could change with such immediacy that sailors were at the mercy of the gods.

The rendering of the vessels has been handled skilfully, particularly the details of the frigate as it keels to its port side. It’s reminiscent of works by Edwin Hayes RI (1819-1904) who was Bristol-born and often painted heart-pounding seascapes.

​​Held in a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 24” x 16” / 61cm x 41cm
Year of creation: c. 1890
Provenance: Private collection, UK.
Condition: Cleaned. Areas of fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Frame in good condition with minor age-related wear.
Our reference: BRV1924