243

ATTRIBUTED TO ISAAC SAILMAKER

The Netherlands/United Kingdom, 1633-1721

A three-decker flying the Royal Standard with the Royal Yacht in the foreground.

Probably the pre-Establishment ship H.M.S. Britannia of 1689.
Provenance:
Sotheby's, New York, May 22, 1997, Lot #56A.
Private collection, London.
Christie's, South Kensington, London, May 11, 2000, Lot #37.
Vallejo Gallery, Newport Beach, California.
Purchased from the above by the Kelton Foundation, 2001
.

Literature:
Dictionary of Sea Painters
by E.H.H. Archibald (Antique Collector's Club, 2000), p. 80, plate 17.
H.M.S. Britannia of 1689 carried 100 guns during wartime and 90 in home waters. She was "girdled" in 1701, increasing her beam, but then was broken up in 1716.
The flag flown from
Britannia's foremast is the Banner of England, a flag associated only with the King, William III. The Banner of England, with its three gold lions on a red ground, could only be flown when the King was present. In addition, Britannia flies the pre-1707 Red Ensign, with the Cross of St. George on a red ground, and the Royal Navy Union Jack flies at the bow. The broad pennants flown at the mainmasts of both central vessels are command pennants designating ships are under the authority of the officer commanding in the Downs (on the east coast of Kent), which helps identify the location as most likely the mouth of the Thames. Other details include the crew and the ship's complement of Marines shown in full uniform, including hats, on deck for a formal event, the starboard sally port with the boarding steps still in place, and all of Britannia's gun ports open, suggesting a Royal salute, and the departure of the ketch-rigged Royal transport in the right foreground.
The scale and grandeur of this work was undoubtedly a commission to commemorate the visit of His Majesty.


From the Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.
Oil on canvas, 35.5" x 58". Framed 46.25" x 68.5".
Condition: The painting is heavily restored with two to three generations of restoration, dating backing to the 18th century. The canvas has been relined. Under UV examination the sky has been reglazed and strengthened, various aspects of the ship have been strengthened and there is inpaint to the craquelure, stretchers and cross stretchers. The upper left of the main sail shows original underpaint.

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