Men-O-War off Sheerness

Francis Swaine (1725 - 1782)

Oil on canvas

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  • About the work
    Location
    Country: UK
    City: London
    Place: Government Hospitality, Lancaster House
  • About the artist
    Little is known of the early life Francis Swaine, marine painter. In 1735, his name appeared as a messenger in a list of clerks and officers employed by the Treasurers and Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy. Swaine's work was strongly influenced by Peter Monamy, Charles Brooking and the earlier paintings of Willem van de Velde the younger. Most of Swaine’s output was small scale shipping subjects. He exhibited his work at the Free Society of Arts from 1761 until the end of his life and at the Incorporated Society of Artists exhibitions from 1762. For much of his life, Swaine lived near St. James’s Park, Westminster. He moved to Chelsea shortly before his death in 1782.
  • Explore
    Places
    England, Sheerness, Kent, Thames Estuary, Isle of Sheppey
    Subjects
    rowing boat, seascape/coastal scene, ensign (ship), ship, Man o'War
    Materials & Techniques
    linen, oil, oil painting
  • Details
    Artist
    Francis Swaine (1725 - 1782)
    Title
    Men-O-War off Sheerness
    Date
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    height: 33.00 cm, width: 44.00 cm
    Acquisition
    Purchased from Sir Bruce Ingram, 1963
    Inscription
    Labels on verso (retained after modern backboard fitted): Festival of Britain (1951) Exhibition of Marine Paintings No276 (Colnaghi 27). From Ferens Art Gallery, Hull. & "oil painting - Men o War off a Coast - property of Sir Henry Lintott, Earnscliffe, Sussex Dr. Ottawa 2. Embassy of Britain. Ottawa Diplomats Collect."
    Provenance
    Collection of journalist and newspaper editor Sir Bruce Stirling Ingram (1877-1963) and on loan to the Ministry of Works from 1952; from whom purchased by the Ministry of Works in 1963
    GAC number
    5873