Ships on Canvas

European Artists

Battle of Trafalgar 1805 Louis Phillipe Crepin

French marine artist Louis Phillipe Crepin created this artwork about one of the most famous naval battles in history. The Battle of Trafalgar was fought between the British Royal Navy against the naval forces of the Spanish and the French. The two countries wanted to dominate the waters surrounding Europe and a great deal of the rest of the world.

A First Rate Man-of-War Driven Onto a Reef of Rocks, Floundering in a Gale 1836 George Philip Reinagle

English maritime artist George Philip Reinagle was one of the most well-known maritime painters in the early 1800s. In this artwork. the artist has captured the dramatic moment when a ship is caught by the tumultuous waves of the sea. The ship has been captured upon the sea during a gale with high winds whipping up the waves.

Snow Storm Steam Boat Off a Harbor’s Mouth 1842 J.M.W. Turner

English artist J.M.W. Turner was among the most famous artists who depicted the life and voyages of sailors and their ships. This painting depicts a steamboat caught in a snowstorm with the wind whipping about as the ship struggles with huge waves and attempts to stay on course.

Dutch Men-O’-War and Other Shipping in a Calm 1665 Willem van de Velde II

Dutch artist Willem van de Velde II specialized in maritime art during the late 17th century. This artwork features the vast fleet of ships belonging to the Dutch Navy including the deadly and feared Men-O’-War vessels. These vessels were referred to as floating fortresses.

The Home Fleet Saluting the State Barge 1650 Jan van de Cappelle

Dutch Golden Age artist Jan van de Cappelle captured a significant point in time in this artwork depicting different ships gathered together in a port to salute a prominent vessel embarking on its voyage. The mid-1600s was a time when maritime travel held a prominent role in reshaping the people and the nations of the world with many pilgrims and travelers journeying to the New World crossing the Atlantic Ocean. This is one of his most well-known ship paintings captured in amazing detail.

Argenteuil (Red Boats) 1875 Claude Monet

French Impressionist artist Claude Monet was one of the most celebrated painters of his time. This artwork is one of his most recognized paintings of ships. It features the Impressionist painting style reflection of water as smooth as glass with boats at the center of the canvas. With his colors and brush strokes, the artist was able to bring much detail to the painting,

Nelson’s Inshore Blockading Squadron at Cadiz 1797 Thomas Buttersworth

English maritime painter Thomas Buttersworth created this artwork as a testament to a great naval battle for the British forces off the coast of Lisbon, Portugal, Following the famous Battle of St. Vincent, rear-admiral Nelson and ten bargemen were engaged in a raid on Spanish gunboats under the cover of darkness. Realizing his boats were under attack the Spanish commander launched an effort to defend them but the British killed 18 Spanish soldiers and captured the remaining few.

American Artists

Becalmed Off Halfway Rock 1860 Fitz Hugh Lane

American artist Fitz Hugh Lane depicted ships that were anchored next to Halfway Rock, a famous sea marker. The marker is located halfway between Boston and Cape Ann in the US state of Massachusetts. It was a popular stop for trading vessels and supply ships so they could join up with other ships to carry out various kinds of maritime business.

Breezing Up (A Fair Wind) 1876 Winslow Homer

American artist Winslow Homer was known for his maritime paintings. In this artwork, he depicts a small sailboat cruising the waves with men and boys aboard the boat. They have caught what was known as “fair wind” as the boat leans heavily toward the water with the rudder of the boat steering toward their destination. The painting depicts a common scene in late 19th century America when sailing was very popular around coastal New England.