Famous Ship Paintings – Explore Famous Nautical Paintings

The history of trade cannot be discussed without acknowledging one of its key symbols, the ship, which was often used not only for the transportation of goods and the facilitation of economic growth across countries, but also to transport slaves and aid in the process of colonization. In this article, we will explore the ways that ships have been represented in art through some of the most famous ship paintings in the world. Read on for more about these majestic ship paintings, including a brief history of marine art.

A Brief History of Marine Art

The history of ship painting, also known as marine art and nautical art, goes back at least roughly 8,000 years ago and has since played a significant role in the art careers of many talented painters. Maritime paintings often feature ships, luminescent lighting, and still, and stormy waters that showcase the true nature of the sea and our relationship with it through ships. Historically, ships have also served as vessels of transportation and played a major role in some of the world’s most impactful naval wars.

Regattas at Argenteuil (1872) by Claude Monet; Claude Monet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In an art historical context, maritime paintings were a niche style of art that catered to the clients and the demand. The genre of ship portraiture was also a category that was privileged as a token of art for art’s sake and made for collectors who displayed a personal interest in the genre. The history of ship painting is heavily linked to European influences as early as the 16^th century and such paintings were often commissioned by religious sea goers.

One of the most prominent early marine artists was Hendrick Vroom who transformed the genre’s popularity in Dutch painting by creating many artworks of English and Dutch naval battle scenes and ships.

Vroom went on to influence many artists across Britain who followed suit. Ships are therefore not only interesting subjects to paint, but they are also politically charged as seen in colonial history, war, the development of technology, and subsequent improvement of the global economy. Along with trade and colonial activities, the power struggle was also seen in the slave trade, which saw many atrocities, facilitated by ships. Below, we will explore some of the most famous marine, ship, and sailboat paintings that will have you intrigued!

Top 10 Most Famous Ship Paintings

For centuries, ships have been an important topic of interest, not only in the transportation, political, and economic sectors but also in the art sphere. Artists have not only looked to the natural landscape of their nearby surroundings but they have also taken to the sea for inspiration, translated as magnificent works of art.

Boats on the Beach of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (1888) by Vincent van Gogh; Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Ships are interesting symbols of the sea that serve as vessels of transportation for goods and people. Ships have been used as vessels of power, refuge, safety, and war, which makes the subject of ship paintings even more exciting and relevant since these themes are ones that we are still familiar with today. Below, we will examine some of the most famous ship paintings that will have you both longing for the ocean and intrigued by its power.

The Storm on the Sea of Galilee (1633) by Rembrandt van Rijn

The Storm on the Sea of Galilee is perhaps one of the most famous nautical paintings that was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990. The glorious painting was created by Dutch oil painting master Rembrandt van Rijn in 1633 and since its disappearance, it has remained one of the most popular ship paintings. Rembrandt selected the topic from a scene in the bible to prove the seriousness of his artistic pursuits after relocating to Amsterdam in the 1630s.

What makes the painting so special is that it is the only seascape by Rembrandt, therefore, one can somewhat understand the reason why it was stolen too.

The Storm on the Sea of Galilee (1633) by Rembrandt van Rijn; Rembrandt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Seascape in the Morning (c. 1640 – 1645) by Simon de Vlieger

Seascape in the Morning is a serene ship painting created by Simon de Vlieger who not only was a Dutch painter but also a tapestry designer. De Vlieger specialized in landscape paintings and beach scenes, which is evident in Seascape in the Morning. The painting features the image of men returning to sea from the land, back to the ships in the distance. The presence of smoke on the far right alludes to the fact that the men may have camped overnight on the shore and decided to set sail.

Seascape in the Morning (c. 1640 – 1645) by Simon de Vlieger; Simon de Vlieger, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Trojan Women Setting Fire to their Fleet (c. 1643) by Claude Lorrain

French painter Claude Lorrain was a popular Baroque artist and draftsman who was one of the first champions of Dutch Golden Age artwork. The Trojan Women Setting Fire to their Fleet is one of the most famous nautical paintings that demonstrate his ability in portraying luminescent skies and detailed renderings of ships. Lorrain approached this ship painting with a Classical rigor by including in the subject the Trojan women who set the ships ablaze after wandering around following the Greek’s conquest. In the distance, one can see the impending storm brewing, which was sent by Jupiter to extinguish the fire.

The painting was commissioned by Cardinal Girolamo Farnese who served as a papal nuncio in the fight against Calvinism, a theological practice defined by John Calvin.

The Trojan Women Setting Fire to their Fleet (c. 1643) by Claude Lorrain; Claude Lorrain, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Battle of Trafalgar (1805) by  Louis Philippe Crépin

Battle of Trafalgar was created in reference to a famous battle during the Napoleonic wars in 1805, which ensued between the French and Spanish troops and the British Royal Navy. Louis Philippe Crépin was a French artist who specialized in paintings of ships at sea and expertly demonstrated his hand in this ship painting. Crépin was not just any maritime painter. In 1830, he was granted the title of Peintres de la Marine, which is an honorary title given to artists who dedicate their careers to capturing the life-threatening battle scenes that take place on the sea.

Battle of Trafalgar (1805) by  Louis Philippe Crépin; Louis-Philippe Crépin (1772-1851), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This merit award was given to Crépin by the French minister of defense. The painting, Battle of Trafalgar, appears still, as though captured through a photographic lens yet the warfare occurring in the distance evokes a sense of curiosity as to which side is winning. The foggy bursts of clouds emanating from the ships allude to the heightened state at which the battle has ensued and one can almost taste the intensity in the atmosphere!

A First-Rate Man-of-War Driven Onto a Reef of Rocks, Floundering in a Gale (1826) by George Philip Reinagle

This striking ship painting is one of the most famous ship paintings that illustrate the might of the stormy sea, which tosses the ship off its course. The painting was created by marine painter George Philip Reinagle in the early 19^th century and is currently housed at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery in Exeter. The British flag at the top of the ship struggles to remain clear from the might of the sea and is highlighted by the illumination of the sunlight seeping through the gray clouds.

There do not seem to be any signs of human life but one can imagine that the ship’s occupants are about to meet their end with the rocks that appear before them.

A First-Rate Man-of-War Driven Onto a Reef of Rocks, Floundering in a Gale (1826) by George Philip Reinagle; George Philip Reinagle, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Slave Ship (1840) by J. M. W. Turner

M. W. Turner created many paintings of ships at sea, which offer much introspection around the function and Romanticization of ships in the 19th century. The Slave Ship was first displayed in 1840 at the Royal Academy of Arts and portrays the ill fate of a slave ship wandering out at sea. It is believed that Turner was inspired by the horrors of the Zong massacre of 1781 where a slave vessel that carried many slaves was subject to horrific acts by the crew. This is perhaps one of Turner’s least Romantic paintings since its mood and atmosphere evoked by the cool and warm-toned color palette alongside the image of a slave with a mangled ankle reinforces the atrocities inflicted by colonial and imperial forces.

The Slave Ship (1840) by J. M. W. Turner; J. M. W. Turner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Snow Storm; Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth (1842) by J.M.W Turner

This mid-19th-century boat painting was created by none other than one of the best seascape painters, Joseph Mallord William Turner. Turner’s Snow Storm; Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth illustrates a steamboat caught in a snowstorm at sea. The hazy quality of the painting mimics the atmospheric conditions of the storm and thus portrays the ship as a vague shadow that casts the ship in the eye and center of the painting.

Turner’s scratchy brushwork gives the snowstorm character and makes evident the tumultuous conditions that the ship faces.

Snow Storm; Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth (1842) by J.M.W Turner; J. M. W. Turner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Lumber Schooners at Evening on Penobscot Bay (1860) by Fitz Henry Lane

Fitz Henry Lane is one of the most famous American maritime painters whose work is admired for its detail, clean composition, and stunning use of contrast. Lumber Schooners at Evening on Penobscot Bay is a 19th-century painting depicting a Romantic pink and blue-hued sunset with a glimmer of an orange sun disappearing into the horizon. The painting evokes a sense of returning home and a sense of venturing into calmer waters. The delicateness with which Lane also executed the clouds is also graceful and reflects his steady hand and meticulous attention to perspective.

Lumber Schooners at Evening on Penobscot Bay (1860) by Fitz Henry Lane; Fitz Henry Lane, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Red Boats; Argenteuil (1875) by Claude Monet

Red Boats; Argenteuil is among the most cheerful sailboat paintings by French Impressionist leader Claude Monet. The painting illustrates a bright sunny day with gentle waters where many small vessels are scattered across the river. Throughout the 1870s, Monet found much joy in painting the beautiful landscape of Argenteuil, which sparks joy in the viewer and eases the mind’s eye. The clouds found in the upper right corner offer comfort while the cool tones across the painting leave the viewer with minimal stress on their eyes.

The two red boats appear to be the subject of the painting made evident by their color and placement.

Red Boats; Argenteuil (1875) by Claude Monet; Claude Monet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Fishing Boats, Key West (1903) by Winslow Homer

Winslow Homer is one of the most revered American maritime painters who created this amazing watercolor boat painting in 1903. The way that the light reflects off the water on what appears to be a relaxed summer day. The addition of the graphite marks to illustrate the detail of the boats as well as his clever use of the reserved white space to highlight the boat’s color and the sunlight is admirable, to say the least.

Fishing Boats, Key West (1903) by Winslow Homer; Winslow Homer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

These famous vessels offer much for thought around the ways that ships and marine vessels have not only been represented, but also how their images leave traces of histories that are not often discussed in the Contemporary period. We hope that this article has enlightened you on how one might alter one’s perception of representing something so simple as a ship, yet find deeper connections to underlying contextual meanings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Ship Painting?

Ship painting is also referred to as maritime painting and nautical art, and is a genre of figurative art that draws from elements inspired by the sea. Ship paintings often focus on the representation of ships or sea vessel imagery and were popular between the 16th and 19th centuries in Europe and America.

What Do Ships Symbolize in Art?

The image of the ship in art can symbolize a romantic setting or serve as a symbol of safety and refuge. Other symbolic meanings associated with ships in art include a sense of hope, power, discovery, destiny, and even the afterlife.

Who Is the Most Famous Maritime Painter?

The most famous maritime painter is considered to be Joseph Mallord William Turner, who specialized in the English Romantic painting style, which featured turbulent seascapes and images of ships, boats, and other naval activities.

Nicolene Burger( Multimedia-Artist, Creative Consultant, Art Writer )

Nicolene Burger, a South African multimedia artist and creative consultant, specializes in oil painting and performance art. She earned her BA in Visual Arts from Stellenbosch University in 2017. Nicolene’s artistic journey includes exhibitions in South Korea, participation in the 2019 ICA Live Art Workshop, and solo exhibitions. She is currently pursuing a practice-based master’s degree in theater and performance. Nicolene focuses on fostering sustainable creative practices and offers coaching sessions for fellow artists, emphasizing the profound communicative power of art for healing and connection. Nicolene writes blog posts on art history for artfilemagazine with a focus on famous artists and contemporary art.

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