Marine Painting in Britain in the 18th Century
Part 1: Introduction
The eighteenth century saw Britain emerge as the dominant world naval and trading power. This development sparked a cultural, philosophical and scientific renaissance, which included the development of the first truly English style of marine painting. From a historical perspective the marine art of the period also gives us an invaluable record of the ships and naval battles of the times.
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| A kaag close-hauled in a strong breeze and a heavy sea, oil on canvas. |
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Until the 17th century English marine painting was sporadic and unremarkable and just as the Dutch were in the ascendancy as a maritime power, so their painting was the example against which all other efforts were compared. There had been a flourishing Dutch school of marine painting since the 1640s, but it was not until the arrival of the van de Veldes in London that an English school of marine painting developed. Initially it was heavily reliant on the Dutch style but gradually 'English' characteristics began to emerge, particularly in the work of Samuel Scott, John Cleveley the Elder and Charles Brooking.
The Dutch approach to the depiction of light and shadow on water, the sky and reflections was to inspire many English painters. Willem van de Velde the Younger (1633-1707) and his father Willem van de Velde the Elder (1611-1693) arrived in London around 1673. Shortly afterwards King Charles II gave them a studio at Queen's House, Greenwich where they began to record the battles of the English navy. In his role as official war artist Van de Velde the Younger often sailed with the fleet, developing his pictures from first hand experience.
Van de Velde's use of light and colour and sense of atmosphere, combined with meticulous compositions become his trademark. The Reverend William Gilpin was certainly impressed: "what beautiful effects does Vandervelt produce from shipping? - in the hands of such a master it furnishes almost as beautiful forms as any in the whole circle of picturesque objects".
Next: The Development of an English Style
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: The Development of an English Style
Part 3: The Artists
Part 4: Peter Monamy 1681 - 1749
Part 5: Samuel Scott 1701/2 - 1772
Part 6: John Cleveley the Elder c.1712 - 1777
Part 7: Dominic Serres 1722 - 1793
Part 8: Nicholas Pocock 1740 - 1821
Part 9: Thomas Whitcombe c. 1752 - 1827
Part 10: Towards the Romantic Movement
© St. Barbe Museum & Art Gallery 2002. Copyright notice
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