This charming mid-19th-century British oil painting depicts the brigantine ‘Shamrock’ fully-rigged with sails billowing while navigating choppy waters. Produced around 1850, stylistically it resembles the oeuvre of maritime painter, Joseph Heard (1799-1859).

Born near Whitehaven in Cumbria, Heard’s formative years were spent close to home before moving to the thriving port city of Liverpool in 1834. After London, Liverpool was the second largest port of the British Empire and at the heart of the industrial revolution. Its shipbuilders were pivotal in maintaining Britain’s busy international trade links.

As such, there were plenty of opportunities for its artists who would offer their services, usually to captains, when ships were in dock. It was undoubtedly a competitive environment with each clambering for the next commission.

Works of this nature tended to depict a broadside view with some artistic licence applied as the artists rarely left port. The more accomplished among them often chose to show the ship heeling to reveal the deck layout, as we see here.

Held in a later frame. 

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 34” x 26½” / 87cm x 67cm
Year of creation: c. 1850
Labels & Inscriptions: Storage label from Dunns’ Depositories of Bromley on reverse.
Provenance: Private collection, UK.
Condition: Cleaned. Canvas relined. Craquelure in areas. The paint layer is stable. Frame in excellent condition.
Our reference: BRV2050