Photograph by Ed Pollard, Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II digital slr-2009.

Seaport Scene

Artist Unknown

ArtistAfter Claude Lorrain (French, 1604-1682)

CultureItalian?

DateLate 18th or early 19th century

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsOverall: 11 1/2 x 15 1/2 in. (29.2 x 39.4 cm)

Credit LineGift of Robert E. Edwards in loving memory of Mrs. Marion Peele Bowe and Mr. and Mrs. Lee E. Edwards

Object number2000.11.1

Not on view

DescriptionThis is an oil on canvas painting of a seaport scene. It is a copy of Claude Lorrain's SEAPORT WITH THE VILLA MEDICI, which is in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence. It is a horizontally oriented painting depicting a port, probably of Livorno (Tuscany), with a number of elegant Renaissance style buildings, with exceptional architectural detail. Their pilasters, windows, arches and towers are reminiscent of St. Mark's Square in Venice, for example, and elegant buildings of Florence. In the center background is a light blue ghostlike campanile (bell tower) or lighthouse. There are small, light blue boats, which fade into the distance, to give the illusion of deep space. The sun sets or rises as a pale yellow ball sitting upon the low horizon. There are numerous boats docked along the water's edge, which curves around to the right and extends along the foreground. At the foreground of the picture space are numerous boats docked along the water's edge, which curves around to the right and extends along the foreground. At the foreground of the picture space are numerous male and female figures dressed in buccaneer-style clothing wit highlights of red. There also are well-dressed gentry, men in black attire with black hats and white collars and women in full-length dresses with lacy collars. At left midground is a very large ship, a "tall ship" sporting white flags with red insignia. It is in shadow and its sails are down. The sun at the horizon gives a golden glow to the lower portion of the sky and causes part of the dark greenish water to scintillate.

Label TextUnknown Artist, possibly Italian (after Claude Lorrain, 1600-1682) Late 18th or early 19th century Seaport Scene Oil on canvas, 11-1/2 x 15-1/2 Gift of Robert E. Edwards in loving memory of Mrs. Marion Peele Bowe and Mr. and Mrs. Lee E. Edwards 2000.11.1 Written By: MTH