Huge Oil Painting Floundering Ships Awaiting Rescue By William Henry Williamson

Witness the drama of this huge Victorian oil painting of ships floundering and awaiting rescue by renowned artist William Henry Williamson. Its vivid details and masterful brushwork will transport you to the turbulent high seas and spark emotion in even the most stoic hearts. How will the sailors escape their fate?

Oil on canvas set in a fine original heavy gilt frame.

Huge proportion sized frame being 136.2 cm wide and 91cm high.

Title “Floundering Masted Ships in Stormy Seas of headland being rescued with distant Abbey beyond” By William Henry Williamson.  

​This is such a fine example of his work.

Having such perspective & emotion you can feel the distress the sailors have and the sense of urgency for the rescuers.

Subject seascape marine view of 2 floundering sinking sailing ships that have been wrecked suffering severe damage in the storm, the first is a larger 3 masted sailing ship having lost 1 of its masts on the forward bow area which has broken off and can be seen floating away partially submerged on the high stormy seas. With some of its sails been ripped and blown away by the high winds, with stormy waves crashing in around the ship. Help is near as a smaller rescue ship with a light red main single sail is carefully navigating close to the bow of the distressed ship, which is about to rescue surviving sailor crew.

You can see crew figures in the rescue boat, further over to the right is another smaller ship sinking, above with dark storm cloud sky with a couple lighter patches shining through also with seagulls flying overhead. further over to the right you can see view headland with an abbey building in the distance. In the lower bottom foreground area further headland with 3 figures watching the action going on,a 4th figure is preparing extra rescue rope. 

A fascinating combination of stormy skies above & crashing rolling seas all around the floundering vessels.

Signed in the bottom corner by the known listed British marine artist William Henry Williamson.

Williamson captures this intriguing scene so beautifully especially the detail to the stormy seas & sky.

Biography of Artist William Henry Williamson 1820-1883 a known listed British marine artist during the 19th Century. Williamson was born in the year 1820. He lived and operated in London and especially around the south coastal region. An expert in composing nautical scenes of fierce seas with rescues and compelling skies. He exhibited at the Royal Academy. His works have sold numerous times in auctions around the world, with sold prices fetching up to $29,652 US dollars, which was for A blustery day off the North East coast which sold at Christie's.

Provenance from a high end art auction label verso.

Circa Victorian mid 19th century 1860's.

Heavy quality highly decorative frame which really enhances this painting.

Condition report. 

Offered in fine used condition. 

Painting surface is overall good condition, having various craquelure & foxing staining in places commensurate with usage & old age, canvas has been relined on the back.

Having various wear, scuffs, chips, losses and cracking to the frame in places.

Hanging thread on the back ready for immediate home wall display.

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