John Wilson Carmichael (British, 1799-1868) The Russian ship, the Dygden, rescuing the crew of the wreched British Brig, the Caledonian; and another similar,both signed 'J.W. Carmichael' (lower left) and numbered 'No.5' and 'No.6' respectively, pencil, watercolour and bodycolour, 26 x 35cm (10 1/4 x 13 3/4in).together with two unframed monochrome sketches of the same event 20.5 x 33cm and accompanying contemporary hand written documents.
152
John Wilson Carmichael (British, 1799-1868)
The Russian ship, the Dygden, rescuing the crew of the wreched British Brig, the Caledonian; and another similar,
both signed 'J.W. Carmichael' (lower left) and numbered 'No.5' and 'No.6' respectively,
pencil, watercolour and bodycolour,
26 x 35cm (10 1/4 x 13 3/4in).
together with two unframed monochrome sketches of the same event 20.5 x 33cm and accompanying contemporary hand written documents.
Sold for £1,750 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • The watercolours and sketches in the present lot relate to the rescue of the Caledonian by the Russian ship, the Dygden, in 1837. They were specially commissioned by John Thomas Carr of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, who was Russian Vice Consul at the time.

    This lot is accompanied by a letter to Carr from Stephen Prust, dated Bristol 30th January 1838. He describes how the artist, J.W. Carmichael, was briefed for his commission: 'the accompanying sketches are as near a resemblance of the facts as the Marine Painter could catch from description' but also comments that 'the sea is not sufficiently tremendous' and that 'the Caledonian's stern was lower in the water and the bow higher up, with these exceptions they are considered faithful delineations'.

    The lot is also accompanied by a hand-written document describing all six watercolours that were commissioned (of which we are offering two), and a translated account of the heroic rescue Carl Thornberg, captain of the Dygden.

Category: Regional and Estate Auctions / Miscellaneous

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