Robert Salmon (1775-1844)
Oil on board, signed lower right "R. Salmon" and identified and dated on the reverse "Painted by Robert Salmon 1836" and numbered "No 868". This active English harbor scene with multiple ships and small vessels in foreground with sailors standing and seated tipping their hats, water dripping from their oars; all depicting a celebration for the queen. The harbor is filled with ships of a variety of types. Two of the vessels have painted bright colored emblems on the sails. The British frigate shown almost broadside on the right is filled with figures along with four figures on the bowsprit and one at the peak of the fore and main masts. There is a very large gathering of figures on the main deck. Between the main and rear masts is a fancy red tent with gold stripes with a gold royal seal at the peak. There are several figures standing in the tent including some dressed as important naval officers. There are flags flying from each masts' peak and one Royal Navy flag from the gaff. The flag on the foremast is red with a white anchor. The flag at the top mast is the flag that was designed to be flown when the queen was aboard. The flag on the rear mast depicts the Union Jack. There is a small boat pulled up along side the frigate and at the bow is a sailor holding a long pole with a red flag matching the flag on the foremast. This flag appears for a third time on the vessel to the left that has the painted decorated sail. Across the horizon are buildings on the far left followed by numerous ships and masts. There are several barges lined up from the center to the left with each barge showing a long row of oars. With a careful look, one can see water dripping from each oar. The water is filled with small vessels with sailors cheering and raising their hats. The water and sky have a rather standard Salmon style. It is one of the most complex and detailed paintings we have seen by Salmon. (SM1079)
Provenance: George Lewis Collection
Dimensions of Painting: Height 18 1/2 inches, Width 24 1/2 inches.
Dimensions of Frame: Height 21 1/2 inches; Width 28 3/4 inches.
Reference 1: Wilmerding, John, "Robert Salmon Painter of Ship and Shore" published by the Peabody Museum of
Salem, MA 1971. On page 19 is a picture in color titled "Visit of the Prince of Wales to Liverpool September 18, 1806". The painting is signed and dated lower right "R.S. 1807".
Note 1: The painting hung at the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Note 2: Salmon kept a journal where he listed most of his paintings. The listings would usually list the painting number, these numbers ran chronologically from low to high in the journal. In the listing he usually would mention the painting's size, title and number of days it took to paint the picture. If he sold the painting, he would sometimes include the sold price. When Salmon completed a painting, he typically, but not always, wrote the journal number on the back of the canvas or wood panel. Having the painting with the catalogue number enables one to refer to the journal to obtain additional information about the painting. A copy of the original journal is in the collection of the Boston Public Library. The second reference is a book “Robert Salmon Painter of Ship and Shore” by John Wilmerding which has an Appendix A which begins on page 89 and ends on page 98. The paintings in the journal begin with No. 1 and end on No. 999. The dates in the journal begin at 1807 and end in July 1840. Not all Salmon paintings were listed in the
journal; Salmon’s first works were painted in the year 1800; seven years before the journal came into use.
Note 3: This may be the finest marine painting, we have examined, by any artist in the nineteenth century. Obviously,
the painting has significant history depicting a celebration involving the Queen of England. Although not the largest, it may be the finest of Robert Salmon's English work.
Condition of Painting: There is minor scattered in-paint in the sky with minor frame abrasion. There is minor separation in the board leading from left edge moving 2 inches towards the center.
Condition of Frame: The painting retains its original gold leaf frame with crazed original gilded surface.
Auction Records for Similar Paintings by Robert Salmon:
01/26/11 – Bonham’s – “American Revenue Cutter”- 16x24 ($150-$250,000). Sold $458,000.
8/4/06 – Barridoff – “A Schooner in Calm Sea”- 8x10 ($30-$50,000). Sold – $148,125.
5/21/02- Phillips “American Schooner Under Heavy Sail” - 16X24 ($150-$175,000). Sold - $189,000. Foster Collection.
5/21/02 Phillips “Schooner with a View of Boston” - 16x24 ($200-$250,000). Sold - $508,500. Foster Collection.
5/21/02 Phillips “Bark Marblehead” - 15x23 ($175-$250,000). Sold - $310,000. Foster Collection.
5/21/02 Phillips “View of Boston Harbor” - 9x11 ($125-$150,00). Sold - $552,000 Foster Collection.
12/3/98 Sotheby’s “Shipping Scene at Boston” - 15x24 ($80-$120,000). Sold - $112,500.
Price $160,000.
