A portrait of the brig Emerald of Montrose approaching Riga under the command of A. Watson in 1841.
The Emerald was built in the same year this portrait was painted, being launched on the 23rd March that year. It is likely that this portrait was commissioned to mark her maiden voyage. Just six years later, on the 12th January 1847, the Emerald was lost at Broadhaven Bay.
Painted in watercolour by this rarely seen artist, Charles Slee, working from Riga as a pierhead painter and often titling himself as 'Ship Drawer'. A catalogue of the Altonaer Museum in Hamburg shows them to hold 3 works by the artist: Melona, Hero and Jean Laing, all at Riga. In 2009 Christies sold a portrait of The Riby Grove of Hull, also in the port of Riga, at the sale of Avon Antiques, 'A West Country Tradition', lot 67.
Within a period bird's eye maple veneered frame and embossed gold foil mount.
o.s:31.5 in x 25.5 in
work within the mount:24.25 in x 18.25 in
Item Code: 4139
£ 4600
Enquire about this item