About this lot

Description

Shipping in a squall off a groyne; Shipping in a calm off the coast inscribed to the reverse 'D: S: / 1778' oil on panel (a pair) 28.5 x 39.5cm

Footnote: Provenance: Sale, Christie's, London, 10th July 1959, lot 31, as 'D. Serres'; J D Green Ltd, 21 Piccadilly Arcade We are grateful to Alan Russett for pointing out that the present painting of 'Shipping in a squall off a groyne' derives from Serres's own copy after a painting by Willem van de Velde the Younger of 1672 entitled 'A Kaag in a fresh breeze off a groyne' (see A. Russett, Dominic Serres, RA, 1719-1793, War Artist to the Navy, 2001, p. 95, colour pl. 39). Its pendant of 'Shipping in a calm off the coast' in all probability is also after a van de Velde composition. As both paintings are inscribed on the reverse "D: S: / 1778" and are indeed of that time, they can perhaps be considered as Studio reduced copies of originals by Serres himself after van de Velde.

Condition report: Stencil to the reverse 925LY. In H. J. Buchan of Southampton frames. Both works are on small oak panels formed from single boards with bevelled edges. The panels and the paint layers are in a good condition overall. Wide drying cracks have formed in the darker paint passages. There are areas of overpaint covering wear in the darker clouds and abrasion at the lower edge. The varnish layers are thick and considerably yellowed, affecting the tone of the original paint layers. The varnish has also formed its own network of age cracks. The frames are in a good condition with some wear and losses to the gilding.

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