Late Victorian Storm Seascape With Dundee Vessel & Lifeboat Rescue

Late Victorian Storm Seascape With Dundee Vessel & Lifeboat Rescue

Large British Marine Oil Attributed to William Broome of Ramsgate

Highlights

Atmospheric late Victorian marine painting.
Attributed to William Broome (1838–1892).
Late 19th century.
Oil on canvas.
Monogrammed WB.
Stricken Dundee vessel in mountainous storm seas.
Dramatic historic lifeboat rescue subject.
Traditional association with the RNLI lifeboat James Sturm.
Old Fraser & Son Dundee fine-art dealer label verso.
Excellent decorative scale at approximately 99 cm wide framed.
Documented Scottish provenance.

Description

A wonderfully atmospheric late Victorian maritime painting depicting the vessel traditionally identified as the Ansello of Dundee overwhelmed by tremendous seas as a lifeboat crew battles towards her.

The work is attributed to William Broome of Ramsgate (1838–1892), a British marine painter whose documented oeuvre includes shipping in heavy weather and maritime rescue subjects.

A distinctive red WB monogram appears at the lower left.

The composition is particularly successful as a decorative marine painting.

The dark hull of the distressed vessel cuts dramatically across the turbulent sea while its masts and rigging rise into an immense storm-filled sky.

Below, the lifeboat and its crew are thrown between breaking waves, giving the composition tremendous movement.

Passages of light through the clouds illuminate the white wave crests and portions of the vessels, producing an exceptionally atmospheric contrast with the darker water.

James Sturm

The lifeboat has traditionally been identified as the RNLI James Sturm.

Historical RNLI records confirm that James Sturm served at Buckie from 1871 until 1889 and participated in documented rescue services.

The identification of the craft within this painting remains traditional rather than conclusively established, but it provides a fascinating connection with the history of the Victorian lifeboat service.

Fraser & Son

The reverse retains an old dealer label for Fraser & Son, Fine Art Dealers, 38 Commercial Street, Dundee.

Independent documentary evidence records Fraser & Son trading from this address as art dealers and picture-frame makers during the 20th century.

The Dundee dealer provenance is particularly appropriate for a painting whose distressed vessel has itself long been identified with Dundee.

Provenance

Fraser & Son Fine Art, 38 Commercial Street, Dundee.

Private Scottish Dundee marine collection, according to previous provenance.

Lindsay Burns & Company, Perth, Scotland, 5 February 2025, Lot LIVE684.

Acquired from the above sale.

Dimensions

Canvas approximately 60 x 90 cm.

Overall framed size approximately 69 x 99 cm.

Depth approximately 3 cm.

Condition Report

Original unlined canvas with craquelure, staining and surface wear commensurate with age.

Evidence of historic paint touch-ups and several old patch repairs visible from the reverse. Stretcher-bar impressions are present.

Later decorative gilt frame with rubbing, scuffs, minor losses and general wear.

Shipping

Worldwide shipping is available.

The painting will be professionally packed with particular attention given to protecting the canvas and decorative frame during transit.

Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.

Attribution and Research

The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.

These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.

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Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.

Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.

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