An English Ship Leaving the Coast RMG BHC0807

An English Ship Leaving the Coast
A small panel painting, forming one of a pair of cabinet pieces. These show contrasting scenes of a ship at sea, one in calm conditions and one in a storm. The picture is dominated by one ship placed in the centre. The Royal Arms, somewhat simplified, are carved on the stern indicating that it is probably a warship of Charles I although, since the artist was known to be working in London between 1652 and 1663, the panels were produced after his execution in 1649. The St George's cross at the main may be a command flag, although the purpose of the flags is not clear from this painting. The ship is apparently following another in stern view on the right, with a third at anchor, far right. There is landscape to the left with ruins on the cliffs and the tower of a church in the distance. The image presents a ship sailing in calm waters, in fair weather. A streak of light slashes across the sea in the foreground and birds swoop low over the water to the right. Neither James I nor Charles I was willing or able to invest in the building up of a stronger navy. Charles was a great admirer of ships and collected many maritime paintings but was not prepared to put money into paying sailors or building ships until late in his reign, when the tax consequences of his moves to do so were among the causes of the Civil War that deposed him. The painting is one of a contrasting pair; see also BHC 0808.

An English Ship Leaving the Coast