"The Pomona of Greenock Riding at Anchor" signed and dated "RS1818".
Information Salmon, Robert
(Anglo-American 1775-1845)
Oil on canvas titled: 'The Pomona of Greenock Riding at Anchor', signed with initials and dated lower right: 'RS 1818.' This painting is one of the great Salmon seascapes. Just to the left of center is a full rigged ship about to leave port. There are figures up in the yardarms and ratlines lowering sails. There is a small craft pulled up along side of the hull letting off passengers. Flying from the foremast is a beautifully painted yellow and blue checkered house flag and flying from the gaff the British Union Jack. To the right in the foreground is a small two masted craft with oarsmen. Flying from the rear mast is a banner with the name: CALEDONIA. In the distance there are several vessels of various sizes and rigs. The water is painted in Salmon's typical style. There are a few birds floating in the foreground. The sky is unusually brilant with pinks, purples and light blue. One of the strengths of this painting is its brightness. Often Salmon paintings can become slightly dark. (PA-756)
Condition of painting: Painting was professionally restored several years ago.
Condition of frame: The painting has a contemporary gold leaf frame with a nineteenth century style. The frame has a deep cove with applied beading and ropework.
Note: 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 paintings’ size, title, number of days it took to paint the picture. If he sold the picture, 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 if it is listed. A copy of the original Journal is in the collection of the Boston Public Library. The book “Robert Salmon Painter of Ship and Shore” By John Wilmerding has in the back Appendix A which begins on page 89 and ends on pages 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 1940. Not all Salmon paintings were listed in the Journal and Salmon’s first works were painted in the year 1800 seven years before the Journal came into use.
Reference 1: "Robert Salmon Painter of Ship and Shore" by John Wilmerding. Copyright 1971 by John Wilmerding. Appendix D: Checklist of Salmon Works In Public Collections - Yale University, Mellon Center for British Art, New Haven CT, No. 73 The "Pamona" off Greenock 1818 . Oil on 22 x 37. Signed lower right: "R.S. 1805". Future gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon." Page 109
Apparenty Mr. Mellon puled back the gift and it went on to private hands.
Reference 2: Granby, Alan, 'A Yachtsman's Eye', Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Independence Seaport Museum, 2004, pp.212- 213. The painting is described and illustrated full page color.
Provenance: Estate of Glen Foster
Dimensions of painting: 22 3/4 x 36 1/4.
Dimensions of frame: 30 1/4 x 45.
1818
Photo for picture is PA0746+
