Ward, John English 1798-1849
Oil on canvas, titled: "A Frigate Offshore", signed and dated lower right J. Ward 1831 on a floating board.The painting is a wonderful seascape with shipping. In the foreground to the right is a small area of beach. There is a seated figure handling objects in a basket while apparently in conversation with a standing fisherman holding a cane. To their left is a rowing craft apparently at anchor. In the boat there is one figure seated and a second figure is standing, and both figures appear to be having a conversation. The detail and colorful clothing which the figures are wearing are painted with outstanding detail. At the center horizon is a frigate in a hooved-to position. A stern view of the same vessel is shown to the right. To the left is a latine rig fishing vessel. Along the left hand side of the horizon is a spit of land with twin lighthouses at its termination. This point of land is known as Spurn Head which marks the entrance to the River Humber which leads to Hull. In the background there are various vessels and birds. The detail and crispness of this painting displays the mastery of John Ward. To the bottom right is a board laying on the beach which bears his signature and the date 1831. (PA-244)
Reference I: "John Ward of Hull Marine Painter 1798-1849", The Ferens Art Gallery, Queen Victoria Square, Hull 1981. This painting is illustrated as Plate 13 on page 35. The description in the book is incorrect relative to the dimensions and medium. "This is almost certainly Ward's academy piece for 1831".
Reference II: Archibald, E.H.H., "Dictionary of Sea Painters", Antique Collectors' Club Ltd., 1980, p. 197. Ward, John 1798-1849 "Born in Hull, December 28th, 1798, he was the son of a master mariner of Hull and was apprenticed as a house and ship painter, a trade he followed all his working life, even though he had also become a successful artist, who remains the best known and most admired of the Hull School of marine painters. He was influenced by William Anderson and copied some of his pictures." "He exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1840 and 1847, and at the British Institution between 1843 and 1847." "Ward also made engravings of many of his own works, which were published. Some of his most successful compositions are Arctic Scenes, of which he had first hand knowledge from sailing with the whaling fleet."
Condition: The painting has been recently conserved. It has been lined and placed on a new stretcher. There is very minor specks of scattered inpaint.
Dimension: 20 x 28 1/2.
