Montague Dawson R.S.M.A., F.R.S.A.

Richard Green, London;
Private collection

STRUCTURE The canvas appears to be unlined. There is a very faint stretcher bar mark along the upper edge and a faint area of craquelure around the moon and a few scattered lines right of the ship; otherwise the work appears in good overall condition. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT UV light there appears to be some retouching to the stern of the vessel and traces of a slightly uneven varnish throughout the sky which prevents a further comprehensive reading. FRAME Held in a gilt plaster frame. Please telephone the department on 0207 293 5718 if you have any questions about the present work.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This wonderfully atmospheric painting shows a post-Restoration three-decker becalmed by the light of a crescent moon.   The glass-like surface of the sea suggests the almost total absence of wind while the extraordinary astral display, visible above the sea mist, hints at a possible location in the Southern seas.  A notably large canvas enhances the sense of scale with the hospitable lantern glow from the captain's cabin providing an intriguing human focal point amidst the vastness of the ocean.

Dawson insisted on strict accuracy in terms of the rendering  of nautical detail and the vast majority of his works, particularly the tea clippers of the 19^th century, depict specific vessels , in a particular place on a recorded voyage.  In the present work the vertically orientated design of the stern galleries suggest a British ship of the late 17^th century, but other than that the narrative and detail is left tantalisingly ambiguous.  Dawson was clearly enamoured and inspired by the notorious pirates and privateers of the 17^th century and produced a number of dramatic and escapist paintings, of which the present work is a superb example.