- 47
Thomas Somerscales
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Thomas Somerscales
- A Ship of the Line 100 Years Ago
- signed and dated l.r.: T Somerscales/1900
- oil on canvas
- 70 by 106cm., 27½ by 42in.
Provenance
Frost & Reed, London
Literature
Alex A. Hurst, Thomas Somerscales, Marine Artist, 1988, illustrated p.111
Condition
Original canvas. Some faint and localised areas of craquelure in the sky and the waves, otherwise the work appears in good overall condition. It has been recently cleaned and is ready to hang.
Under ultraviolet light, there are areas of retouching across the surface.
Held in a gilt plaster frame with a canvas inset, in good condition.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
It is unlikely the '100 years' of the title is to be taken too literally. As the author Alex Hurst commented, the ship's hull paint suggests she is a little earlier than 1800, however she has double dolphin strikers which were not introduced into the British Navy until around 1900. Somerscales depicts the ship hove to with her mainyards backed as whalers approach. In the distance, another ship can be seen with her 'stun'sails' - the additional sails seen extended outside the normal sail plan - set. These were almost obsolete by the twentieth century.
The technical ability and atmosphere achieved within the painting exemplify the credentials that established Somerscales as a leading marine artist of his generation, especially notable for his Chilean seascapes, where the artist spent the majority of his career.